The Coast Development Authority (CDA) has called for the establishment of integrated agro-marine hubs, complete with a sea transport network and seaweed processing centers, as part of a comprehensive blue economy implementation plan for 2026.
The Authority chairman, Mzee Mwinyi, said the initiative seeks to address long-standing infrastructure challenges facing fishermen, improve regional connectivity, and empower women involved in seaweed farming along the Kenyan coast from Vanga to Kiunga.
Mwinyi identified three key areas requiring immediate action, including modern fish market infrastructure, coastal sea transport systems, and seaweed industrialization.
“The ocean is not just our boundary; it is our lifeblood, our heritage, and our most significant economic frontier. It is time to move from deliberation to implementation,” he said.
Under the proposed fish market modernization plan, CDA is advocating for construction of hygienic agro-marine hubs equipped with reliable water supply, drainage systems, ice-making plants, cold storage facilities, and packaging stations.
The facilities would also feature live fish auction floors, fish cooking areas, vegetable markets, and restaurants targeting both tourists and local consumers.
The chairman said the infrastructure is expected to create employment opportunities in logistics, technology, processing, retail, and small-scale vending, while reducing post-harvest losses and opening access to domestic and international export markets.
“This is not just a market; it is an engine for thousands of jobs for youths in logistics and tech, for women in processing and retail, and for the elderly in advisory and small-scale vending,” he said.
On coastal mobility, the Authority has proposed a phased sea transport network to decongest road traffic and reduce travel time across the region.
The first phase would introduce regulated sea taxi routes connecting Mtongwe to Mombasa Island, Junda to Tudor, Rabai Creek to Jomvu, and Nyali to Mombasa Island.
The second phase envisions a scheduled cruise liner service linking Lamu, Mombasa, and Zanzibar, positioning the route as both a transport solution and a tourism attraction for the Swahili Coast.
“The hours wasted in traffic on the Likoni Ferry and Mombasa roads are hours lost from our economic potential. 2026 must be the year we launch our coastal sea transport network,” Mwinyi stated.
For seaweed farming, the plan calls for provision of women farmers with advanced seedlings, training, and protected marine plots to increase productivity. The Authority is also pushing for the establishment of small-scale processing plants to produce carrageenan, organic fertilizers, cosmetics, and nutrient-rich food products.
The initiative aims to connect coastal women farmers directly with national and international biotech and pharmaceutical industries, moving them from primary production to value chain ownership.
Mwinyi said women from Vanga to Kiunga have demonstrated leadership in seaweed farming and should transition to becoming owners in the value chain.
Implementation of the plan requires coordination among county governments and national government agencies, including the Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Forest Service, and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, as well as private sector investors.
He further called on county leadership to allocate land and funds for the integrated fish hubs and seaweed processing centers while simplifying regulations for sea transport operators.
The chairman urged members of parliament and the county assemblies to champion the projects in their respective chambers and mobilize community cooperatives.
National government agencies are being called upon to provide technical expertise, infrastructure funding, and policy frameworks to facilitate public-private partnerships in the sector.
“The dream is clear. The blueprint is evident. The resources, human and natural, are abundant. Let 2026 be the year we stop talking about the potential of our Blue Economy and start living its reality,” said Mwinyi.
By Sitati Reagan
