Busia Governor, H.E. Dr. Paul Otuoma, has called for urgent relief measures for fish cage farmers in Busia County who have suffered significant losses due to lake upwelling, which resulted in the death of over 50 tonnes of caged fish at Mulukoba and adjacent beaches in Budalangi. The governor expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy under the leadership of Cabinet Secretary, Hassan Ali Joho, and other key stakeholders.
Governor Otuoma emphasized the importance of the blue economy as a priority sector for both the national and county governments, stating that there is a need for swift action to address the challenges faced by the sector. "The blue economy is a new frontier that is yet to be fully exploited, and it is crucial that we move quickly to mitigate threats affecting this vital sector," he said.
Speaking to the press at the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy headquarters in Nairobi, Dr. Otuoma highlighted that the national and county governments are committed to working together to find solutions to the challenges facing fish cage farming. He revealed that, in collaboration with CS Joho and his team, researchers will work closely with counties engaged in fish cage farming to address emerging threats. The governor also promised to allocate sufficient resources towards this initiative.
In a bid to support the affected farmers, Governor Otuoma announced a commitment of Ksh 7 million towards the regeneration of the lost fish stocks, alongside the Ministry’s provision of 500,000 fingerlings to affected farmers. He also disclosed that partners have mobilized Ksh 2.5 million worth of fish feeds and negotiated discounted prices for fish feeds to help mitigate the financial burden on farmers.
Dr. Otuoma also commended the Busia fisher community for their resilience and proactive approach in diversifying their fishing activities to address issues of insecurity on the lake and improve their livelihoods. As Vice-Chairman of the Council of Governors' Committee on Blue Economy, Governor Otuoma assured that the Council is focused on addressing similar challenges faced by lakes and inland fishing communities across the country.
The efforts to support the fisher community in Busia come as part of a broader initiative to safeguard the blue economy and ensure the sustainability of fish farming as a livelihood for thousands of families in the region. The collaboration between national and county governments, as well as other stakeholders, is seen as a crucial step towards revitalizing the fishing industry in Busia and ensuring its long-term growth.