Construction of the Sh2.5 billion Kabonyo Kanyagwal Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Kisumu County has resumed in earnest after a lull that threatened the project’s timelines.
This follows a directive by President William Ruto to fast-track the stalled works during a meeting with Kisumu County leaders at State House last month.
Heavy machinery has been deployed to the site, with construction crews back on the ground, a sign of renewed government commitment to the transformative initiative.
The project, which is part of efforts to revitalise Kenya’s blue economy, is a partnership between the Kenyan and Hungarian governments.
Project Engineer Vundi Mbwika said the construction, currently at 30 per cent completion, is progressing steadily.
“Five permanent buildings are under construction, and we have begun excavating a canal to manage backflow from Lake Victoria and overflow from River Nyando,” he said.
He added that an 800-metre access road is being developed within the site, alongside a three-metre-wide flood canal to safeguard the facility from rising water levels.
The first phase of the project, he said was expected to be complete by June 2026.
“Once operational, the facility will produce 28 million fingerlings annually from 20 fish ponds,” he said.
It will also feature administrative blocks, dormitories, staff quarters, a hatchery, cold storage, and processing units.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o praised the President’s intervention and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing works.
“I want to thank President Ruto for his commitment. He assured us at State House that the project would be delivered, and we are seeing that promise being fulfilled,” said Prof Nyong’o.
He said the centre will serve as both a production site and a specialised training ground for farmers and fisheries stakeholders, significantly boosting aquaculture in the region.
“Fish bred at the facility will be distributed to smallholder farmers and used to restock Lake Victoria, where fish stocks have declined sharply,” he added.
“Thousands of small-scale fish farmers stand to benefit from this initiative, which aligns with national efforts to enhance food security and increase household incomes in Lake Region,” he said.
The project, he added, was also poised to create numerous short- and long-term job opportunities for engineers, artisans, architects, and other professionals, injecting economic vitality into Kisumu County.
Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock Development and Irrigation, Kenneth Onyango, said the project will be a game-changer for Kabonyo Kanyagwal Ward, an area long plagued by perennial flooding.
“This project will stimulate the local economy through enhanced fish production, infrastructure upgrades, and job creation,” he said.
He added that it will also benefit non-fishing communities by mitigating floods and unlocking idle land for farming.
Onyango confirmed that the road linking Korowe to the site will be tarmacked to ease transportation of fish and agricultural produce.
The centre, he added, will also provide agribusiness training to young people as part of a broader strategy to combat youth unemployment.
“Through modern aquaculture, restocking efforts and youth engagement, the facility will reverse declining fish yields and uplift fishing communities,” he noted.
Residents of Kabonyo Kanyagwal have welcomed the resumption of works, with community members expressing hope that the facility will be completed without further delays.
“Residents of Kabonyo Kanyagwal are very happy. The project has finally taken off after a long delay. We thank the President and urge him to ensure it is completed within one year,” said Bartholomew Ogutu, a local resident.
By Chris Mahandara
