Nyanza fisher folk have hailed the 2026/2027 budget read Thursday by the treasury CS John Mbadi which they said has a great potential to improve their lives.
“The government has in the budget allocate 2.1 billion for aquaculture business development project (ABDP) that will really uplift aquaculture” pointed Tom Guda who is the chairman of Beach Management Units (BMU) Kenya.
“The government is also working on coordinating with the fisher folk to embrace aquaculture towards boosting earnings in the aquaculture sector” noted Guda who added that the government’s efforts to also spruce fish landing sites is also highly welcomed by the fisher folk
Guda equally pointed that the budgetary allocation towards completing the establishment of the Kabonyo Kanyagwal Fish Breeding project will greatly spruce the aquaculture sector.
“Kabonyo Kanyagwal has been allocated 578 Million that’s going to complete the project and ensure the fisher folk starts getting the requisite training and accessories” pointed Guda who also noted that the Kabonyo Kanyagwal Fish Breeding Project has also been earmarked supply of quality fingerlings that will equally greatly spruce the aquaculture sector in Lake Victoria.
Guda also hailed the budgetary allocation towards financing the sprucing of 9 beaches within Lake Victoria including Bumbe, Wich Lum, Asat and Got Kachola.
“We are delighted that the government has its pledge honored and allocated 1.49 billion towards completing and modernizing the fish breeding sites” added Guda
Guda however called on the government to ascertain it increases the allocation towards the Fish Levy Trust Fund towards strengthening the local fish cooperatives that are currently over 400 to ascertain they ensure proper use of the allocated funds.
By Milton Onyango
