There is a growing demand to effectively harness natural water resources, hasten climate change interventions and improve livelihoods in the lake region.
Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has said collaboration between agencies in the Lake Victoria Basin has born fruits in harnessing resources.
Dr.Omollo says that there has been an increasing need to address the economic potential of Lake Victoria and tap on the blue economy resources.
We have in mind the paddy farmers in Kano plains, Yala, Budalangi and the Fisher folk doing business along the shores of Lake Victoria and feeder rivers
PS Raymond Omollo
Lake Region Blue Economy Multi Agency Collaboration Framework CEOs met to deliberate on status of the agency’s action plan developed to guide on strategic approach of harnessing these resources in an event organised by Kenya Maritime Authority.
Speaking during the Kenya Maritime Authority meeting to deliberate on status of the agency’s action plan of harnessing these resources, PS Omollo said collaboration has helped in minimising misallocation of resources emanating from duplication of resources.
He said the ministry’s assessment of this collaboration will be based on how it has impacted the lives of ordinary citizens.
“For the Kenya Kwanza Government, and in the fulfillment of the constitution the rights of citizens come first,” said Omollo.
These collaboration in harnessing resources, he asserts would be a pillar support to the small scale crop and livestock farmers and miners in the lake Basin.
“We have in mind the paddy farmers in Kano plains, Yala, Budalangi and the Fisher folk doing business along the shores of Lake Victoria and feeder rivers,” he furthered.
Blue Economy Budget Lines
To augment these efforts, the government is aligning 2023/2024 performance contracts to the Kenya Kwanza’s Bottom up Agenda.
In a positive move, through the ministry, PS Omollo has promised to table a request to concerned departments to include blue economy activities in the revised contracts.
He added: “Done this way, agencies and County Governments will have blue economy specific budget lines.”
Omollo notes that the multiagency technical committee will put together these budget lines into a monitoring and evaluation tool to provide periodical reports of the agencies.
Our constant engagement with relevant stakeholders has brought to the fore an array of strategies to sustainably make use of the blue economy resources for the wealth of our nation, and employment creation to young Kenyans
KMA CEO Hamisi Mwaguya
Omollo further called upon member agencies to follow suit in ensuring Blue Economy is mainstreamed in their annual work plans.
Kenya Maritime Authority
Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Chairperson Hamisi Mwaguya said collaboration has aided in sustainability in resource usage and creation of employment.
“Our constant engagement with relevant stakeholders has brought to the fore an array of strategies to sustainably make use of the blue economy resources for the wealth of our nation, and employment creation to young Kenyans.”
The meeting brought together development partners like British High commission and Gatsby Africa.
In attendance were CEO’s from different agencies, multi agency partners, academic stakeholders from tertiary institutions in the Lake Region and the County governments.