Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has called on the national government to zero-rate taxes on materials used to manufacture fibreglass boats to accelerate Kenya’s transition to safer water vessels and unlock the full potential of the blue economy.
Speaking at Kichinjio beach in Kisumu Central Sub-County during the commissioning of five fibreglass fishing boats, a modern patrol boat, and upgraded landing site, Nyong’o described the initiative as a paradigm shift aimed at modernising the fishing industry and securing the livelihoods of thousands dependent on Lake Victoria.
“Zero-rating fibreglass materials will dramatically lower production costs and allow more fishermen to acquire these boats affordably. This one policy move will spur a rapid, nationwide shift from wooden canoes to safer and more productive vessels,” he said.
Nyong’o said the traditional wooden canoes which have been the backbone of fishing in the region were no longer fit for purpose with the bulk of freak accidents in the lake associated with them.
“We honour the heritage, but we must be honest about the limitations. Too many of our sons and brothers have been lost to the unpredictable waters of Lake Victoria. The lake claims an estimated 5,700 lives a year. These new fibreglass boats are engineered for stability, durability, and economic empowerment,” he said.
Each of the newly unveiled fibreglass boats, built by Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), has a 1,500-kilogramme load capacity and is designed to allow fishermen to venture further into the lake, increasing their catch and income.
Nyong’o noted that the new patrol boat would help enforce fishing regulations, curb illegal practices, and respond to emergencies on the lake.
The governor praised the partnership with Kenya Shipyards Limited as a model for public procurement, saying it ensured cost-effective delivery and tapped into world-class marine engineering.
“This is Kenyan expertise building Kenyan solutions,” he said, commending KSL for delivering on time and to standard.
Nyong’o further proposed the establishment of an Annual Blue Economy Conference to evaluate progress and foster continuous collaboration among government, local communities, and partners like Kenya Shipyards.
“Let the entire nation see the value of innovation and strategic partnerships. We are building more than boats, we are building a prosperous economy,” he said.
He encouraged fisher folk to begin planning for their own fibreglass boats, adding that the county government would work with banks and financial institutions to provide soft loans for boat acquisition.
“To financial institutions, step up and create innovative tools for this transition. And to the national government, help us by zero-rating fibreglass boat materials. This is the future,” he urged.
KSL Managing Director Maj. Gen. Said Mohammed Farah said the launch was part of a joint pursuit between the county government and KSL to deliver economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and community development.
“This afternoon, we witnessed the launch of six glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) boats and two modern landing sites. It is a transformative journey that will improve the working conditions, safety, and earnings of our hardworking fishermen,” he said.
He added that the GRP boats were longer-lasting, more stable, and required less maintenance compared to traditional wooden boats, allowing fishermen to focus on feeding their communities and sustaining the economy.
“We are not just launching boats, we are launching a better future for fishing communities,” Farah added.
He said the newly upgraded landing sites would facilitate proper fish handling, sorting, and storage, key steps in reducing post-harvest losses, improving hygiene, and unlocking better market prices for fishermen and traders.
Farah emphasized that such investment in technology must go hand-in-hand with investment in training, value chains, and environmental stewardship.
By Chris Mahandara and Sharon Binzari
