Lodwar, August 6, 2026
(Public Communication and Media Relations)
Stakeholders in Turkana have unanimously agreed to establish a coordination forum that will strengthen the fisheries sector. The forum brings together the County Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, State Department of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Kenya Fisheries Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kerio Valley Development Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute, and County Beach Management Unit Network.
The meeting resolved to hold coordination forums on a quarterly basis and to immediately create a WhatsApp group to facilitate information sharing among stakeholders.
Dr Michael Eregae, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, welcomed the idea, terming it timely and doable. He tasked Bett John and Kennedy Opiyo of County Department of Fisheries and State Department of Blue Economy and Fisheries to fast-track the establishment of the forum to improve coordination effort of fisheries activities.
“To effectively identify areas of collaboration, address gaps, and enhance inclusivity, a coordination strategy would be ideal for the sector,” said Dr Eregae.
While chairing a meeting of key stakeholders, CECM called for a robust sector that endeavors to improve the living standards of the resilient fisherfolk organized in Beach Management Units.
Echoing the CECM’s call for a coordination approach, Peter Ikaru, Chief Officer for Livestock Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture, stressed the need to build synergies to manage fish resources and facilitate both local and export market access to generate income for the fishermen.
“I reaffirm our department’s commitment to work closely with sector players to ensure fishermen are well trained and sensitized on fish resource management, develop infrastructure such as markets and landing sites, support livelihoods, develop value chains, and ensure fish for local consumption and export meet the required quality to attract foreign exchange,” said Ikaru.
During the meeting, Ken Opiyo, Assistant Director of Fisheries revealed that State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries will develop landing sites in Kalokol Turkana County, and Loiyangalani, Marsabit County, to curb post-harvest fish losses.
He also hinted that Turkana County stands to benefit from the ongoing review of the Public Finance Management Act. For the first time, the Act will include a provision for an Artisanal Fish Development Fund. The Fund will support the fish value chain, through fish processing cooperatives, which will provide credit facilities to members. and fund training for both fisherfolk and sector actors.
Another stakeholder, Edwin Were of KMA also announced the purchase of two ferries to facilitate water transport between Kalokol and Loiyangalani, with two jetty landings to be developed under the upcoming project.
Were said plans are in place to establish a main rescue centre in Kalokol with two speedboats and a water ambulance. He added that the Authority will also buy an aircraft and drones to support emergency response operations across the country.
KMA was tasked to liaise with telecommunication providers to expand Global System for Mobile (GSM) network coverage to areas with no access, to facilitate communication, avert danger and enable timely rescue operations. The Authority also committed to developing a Maritime Information System that will provide fisherfolk and stakeholders with useful information and share real-time weather updates.
Stakeholders further resolved that during coordination meetings, issues related to illegal fishing, undersized fish, monitoring, control and surveys, as well as accidents and insecurity on the lake, will be decisively addressed.
Present during this meeting were John Bett, Edward Wanyama, Paul Kebo (County Fisheries Department), William Tonui (KWS), Erick Opallo(KeFS), Maurice Obiero (KMFRI), Casiares Olilo (KMFRI), Stephen Ekuwom (BMU Network) and Mark Loupe (Fisheries Administration)
