Terming the vessel a historic one for the country, Ruto added that with the granting of a fishing license, it is expected to handle up to 10,000 tons of fish per year.
President William Ruto on Friday, July 26 revealed that the government had launched a deep-sea industrial vessel while projecting earnings of Ksh4 billion every year.
The head of state was speaking in Mombasa County on Friday, July 26, 2024, during the issuance of grants to Kenya Marine Fisheries when he made public details of the vessel, adding that it had already begun operations.
Terming the vessel a historic one for the country, Ruto added that with the granting of a fishing license, it is expected to handle up to 10,000 tons of fish per year.
A deep sea fishing vessel. /CHE SHALE
“For the first time in the history of Kenya, we have granted a license to the first sea industrial vessel. We have licensed as the government of Kenya to do deep sea industrial fishing which will bring us 10,000 tons per year with returns of four billion shillings,” said Ruto.
“We have licensed the first deep sea industrial vessel, and it is already flying the Kenyan flag high at the sea.”
To bolster the fishing sector, he envisioned that Kenya would have between 12 and 15 such vessels in three years.
“In three years, I want us to have a total number of between 12 and 15 industrial vessels so that we make sure that the blue economy especially harvesting of tuna and harvesting other industrial fish products that are going to be processed in Kenya,” added Ruto.
At the same time, he highlighted that the government is keen on creating employment in the Blue Economy, especially by having Kenyans work in the vessels, and in the processing sector which will in turn boost the economy of the Coastal Region and Kenya at large.
President Ruto further disclosed that the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy will be tasked with overseeing the projects once Ali Hassan Joho is approved by Parliament to run the docket.
“I am happy with Salim Mvurya for the work he has done and now he shall hand over to his brother Hassan Ali Joho so that he can continue with the work. I will come again for the second time so that we plan with my friend Ali Hassan Joho when he takes over as the CS for Blue Economy,” he added.
The former Mombasa Governor is set to take over from Ministry of Investment and Trade nominee Salim Mvurya.
President Ruto nominated Joho to take over the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs docket and was among four Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) diehards nominated by the President to join his Cabinet.
The Head of State announced the nominees on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, during a State of the Nation address at State House Nairobi.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir was among the leaders who congratulated Joho for his nomination to join the government as a CS for mining.
“On behalf of the people of Mombasa, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Hassan Ali Joho on your nomination as Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs in the Government of Kenya. Your dedication, leadership, and vision have been recognized, and we have no doubt that you will excel in your new role upon confirmation by the National Assembly,” said Shariff.
