Despite the World Bank, European Union and other development partners pumping over Sh13.5 billion in the blue economy, three years later, local fishermen in Kenya are yet to reap dividends.
Mohamed Omar, the chair of the Association of Kenyan Fishermen says the money has been channeled towards holding conferences in five-star hotels and research that is irrelevant to the fisherman.
“These meetings and conferences should be held at the Beach Management Units where the fishermen are,” Omar said.
According to reports, Kenya Marine Social Fisheries Economy Development (KEMSFED) received Sh10 billion while the Italian Agency for Development Corporation gave Sh3.5 billion to be managed by International Centre for Advanced Agronomical Mediterranean Studies of Bari in partnership with Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JPK).
Bamburi BMU chair Musa Ndenge said that it is ironic to tell local fishermen to write proposals for their business plan in order to get funding, yet most are illiterate.
“The World Bank and other development partners have sponsored the blue economy with huge sums of money, however, the procedures used to award the fisherman the funds are unrealistic. How can you tell a fisherman to write a business proposal yet the majority are illiterate? It means you have no intentions to empower them,” said Ndenge.
He added that the government should engage the fisherman in each BMUs to understand their needs and source effective equipment and vessels.