The Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County has been completed and officially handed over to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), a move the government says marks a major milestone in the growth of Kenya’s Blue Economy.
In a statement, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo said the facility is the country’s first industrial maritime hub dedicated exclusively to commercial fishing and fish processing and is expected to transform the coastal fisheries sector.
Dr Omollo said the port would strengthen Kenya’s position in regional and international seafood markets by providing modern infrastructure for fishing, processing and storage.
“The Shimoni Fish Port is now fully complete and has been officially handed over to the Kenya Ports Authority, marking a major milestone in the growth of our Blue Economy,” he said.
The port has been designed to handle up to 50,000 metric tonnes of fish annually and includes a modern commercial jetty and causeway, a fish processing and value-addition facility, industrial cold storage and ice-making systems, and supporting infrastructure aimed at ensuring efficient and environmentally sustainable operations.
The project also included the upgrading of the community jetty to ensure continued access for artisanal fishers and marine tourism operators.
According to the PS, the facility is expected to create up to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, opening new economic opportunities for coastal communities and supporting livelihoods across the fisheries value chain.
Dr Omollo said the government expects the port to stimulate investment in fishing, fish processing, transport, storage and related maritime services in Kwale and neighbouring coastal counties.
He added that the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration had worked alongside maritime security agencies to help create a safe and stable operating environment for investments linked to the ocean economy.
“By complementing maritime security initiatives, the State Department has contributed to creating a safe and stable operating space for investments that advance our ocean economy,” he said.
The completion of the Shimoni Fish Port is part of the government’s broader strategy to expand the Blue Economy and increase the contribution of fisheries and marine resources to national economic growth.
Government officials say the new facility is expected to improve fish handling standards, reduce post-harvest losses, enhance value addition and increase access to export markets for Kenyan seafood products.
The port is also expected to strengthen linkages between industrial fishing operations and local artisanal fishers by improving landing, storage and marketing infrastructure along the South Coast.
Once fully operational under KPA management, the facility is expected to become a key fisheries and seafood export hub serving both domestic and international markets.
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