By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 1 January 2026 - Kenya has launched a renewed drive to tap the commercial potential of its deep-sea fisheries, a sector long underexploited despite the country’s extensive marine resources.
The initiative, showcasing modern vessels, investors, boat manufacturers and financial institutions, is aimed at transforming fishing from near-shore subsistence activity into a commercial enterprise capable of generating significant income, jobs and food security for coastal communities and beyond.
The launch of a deep-sea fishing exhibition at the Liwatoni Fisheries Complex in Mombasa marked a key moment in the government’s strategy to broaden the blue economy.
The event brought together stakeholders including the Kenya Fishing Industries Corporation (KFIC), financial partners, local fishermen, boat builders and community groups to explore opportunities in commercial fishing.
“Ocean resources in Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are vast,” said Mikah Nyaberi, Acting Chief Executive of KFIC.
“Our role is to uplift the fishing business for those already in the sector and those who want to join. That is why we have brought together banks, fishermen, beach management units, community-based organisations, boat builders and investors in one space.”
Under the programme, youth groups and fishing communities will be supported to acquire large boats suitable for deep-sea operations.
Beneficiaries are expected to contribute 10 per cent of a vessel’s value, with the balance financed through partner banks, encouraging ownership and responsibility rather than dependence on handouts.
Two local firms, Simba Marine, a division of Associated Vehicle Assemblers, and Captain Andy’s Kenya, displayed a range of boats at the exhibition, including sports fishing machines, luxury crafts and commercial fishing vessels built for Kenya’s coastal environment.
Representatives said these boats are designed to handle challenging ocean conditions while remaining cost-effective for operators.
“This vessel will enable fishing communities in Kenya to move away from small-scale artisanal fishing and develop commercial deep-sea fishing techniques in an affordable and realistic way,” said a representative of Capt Andy’s, highlighting that modern vessels and tracking gear can dramatically improve productivity and incomes.
KFIC Chairman Jimmy Kahindi, who officiated the exhibition, said the move is part of broader efforts to unlock sustainable economic growth through Kenya’s blue economy. “We are hosting this national exhibition under the theme ‘Tuvue Bahari Kuu Pamoja,’ symbolising unity of stakeholders towards unlocking the full potential of Kenya’s deep-sea fisheries,” he said, noting that deep-sea fishing could stimulate job creation, enhance food and nutrition security, and improve livelihoods across coastal and inland communities.
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The deep-sea initiative aligns with broader national and international efforts to grow Kenya’s blue economy.
Scientists from the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI) estimate that fish stocks within Kenya’s EEZ, if sustainably exploited, could total between 150,000 and 300,000 metric tonnes annually, with potential to inject between Sh50 billion and Sh90 billion into the economy each year.
However, local fishers have historically lacked the technology and capacity to tap this potential, leaving much of the deep-sea catch to foreign vessels with better equipment.
KEMFRI Director General Prof. James Njiru confirmed ongoing talks with Norwegian counterparts through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) to build capacity for deep-sea resource utilisation, underscoring the role of international cooperation in Kenya’s blue growth agenda.
Efforts to develop deep-sea fishing dovetail with broader coastal development initiatives.
The State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, supported by the World Bank’s Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) Project, is investing in modern landing sites and cold chain infrastructure in counties such as Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu and Mombasa to support both artisanal and commercial fishers.
These facilities aim to improve safety, reduce post-harvest losses and connect fishers to domestic and export markets.
Local fishers welcomed the initiative, describing it as long overdue and critical to addressing long-standing challenges. Suleiman Masoud, a fisherman and boat builder, noted that small traditional canoes have limited range and poor capacity for deep-sea operations. “Our biggest challenge has been operating with small boats that cannot reach deep waters, leading to loss of gear and low returns. With proper vessels and modern fishing gear, we can greatly improve our productivity and incomes,” Masoud said.
Another local entrepreneur, Tariq Longoni of Majaoni Upper Hill Fishing Enterprise Ltd, said having larger, more powerful vessels would enable Kenyan operators to compete with overseas companies fishing for valuable species like yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, swordfish and kingfish, particularly in waters extending toward the Somalia and Tanzania borders.
Kenya’s renewed focus on deep-sea fishing marks a shift in how the country views its marine resources, from subsistence sustenance to a value chain capable of supporting industrial growth, employment and export revenue.
If implemented effectively, the strategy could empower youth, strengthen coastal economies and position Kenya as a leader in the blue economy along the East African coast.
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