Kakuma, 11 July 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations) – The County Government of Turkana has begun engaging stakeholders in the fisheries sector to validate the draft Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill and Policy 2025.
The validation forum brings together key players in the sector, including research and academic institutions, international and local development partners, private sector actors, and experts from both county and national governments.
Once enacted, the law—aligned with existing national legal frameworks—is expected to benefit fishermen, fishmongers, and traders by promoting the sustainable use, management, and development of fisheries, aquaculture, and other aquatic resources in Turkana County.
The validation exercise follows a technical meeting held two days earlier in Kakuma, where officials from both levels of government reviewed the draft bill and policy.
Susan Aletia, Coordination Specialist at the United Nations Resident Coordination Office in Turkana, urged the Fisheries Directorate to enhance collaboration with public-private partnerships and non-state actors to further develop the sector.
“This is a sector with great potential, but its coordination must be anchored in law to support collaboration among all players,” said Aletia.
Speaking on behalf of Turkana University College, Professor Peter Edome noted that the institution, as the only university in the region, plays a critical role in ensuring that the policy is inclusive, evidence-based, and practical for effective implementation.
“The university has developed academic programmes aligned with the objectives of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy. Through our research, innovation, and outreach services, we are committed to supporting the sector’s growth and sustainability,” he said.
Principal Research Scientist John Malala, representing the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, emphasised the need to adapt national fisheries policies to the unique context of Lake Turkana.
“Effective management of the lake’s complex multi-species fisheries requires a local legal framework tailored to Turkana’s specific needs. Validating this policy and bill is a significant step toward that goal,” Malala stated.
Head of the World Food Programme (WFP) Office in Lodwar, Sarah Ayodi, pledged WFP’s support for the development and implementation of both the policy and the bill.
“Through the Lake Turkana Project, WFP is committed to seeing this policy and legislation enacted to address the long-standing challenges in the fisheries sector,” said Ayodi.
County Chief Officer for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Evans Lomodei, thanked WFP for its continued support and acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders toward the policy and draft bill, which had stalled since 2023.
Lomodei added that further consultations are planned with the County Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, Beach Management Units, administrators, private sector actors, non-state organisations, development partners, and special interest groups. These meetings aim to ensure broad participation and shared understanding of the proposed legislation.
