How Blue Economy Is Transforming Livelihoods for Coastal Communities

For generations, coastal communities in Kenya have relied heavily on the ocean for food, income and employment.

Fishing has remained a major source of livelihood, but fishermen have historically faced challenges including limited access to modern equipment, poor fish storage, low market prices and few alternative income-generating opportunities.

The growing focus on the blue economy is now changing how communities interact with and benefit from marine resources. 

From modern fishing boats and improved skills to tourism, seaweed farming and passenger transport, coastal residents say new opportunities are emerging while government support and investment are helping transform traditional livelihoods.

For Asman Ambeta, a resident of Shimoni and Wasini Island who works as a tour guide and supplements his income through fishing during the low season, the changes are particularly visible in Shimoni.

Ambeta says the community has always depended on the ocean, but fishermen previously struggled with damaged coral reefs, declining fish stocks, poor storage facilities, low prices and limited opportunities for young people.

He says the government's increased focus on the blue economy, including bringing the port to Shimoni, has made work easier for local residents.

"Fish can now be handled faster, young people are beginning to get jobs, and residents feel remembered because Shimoni, one of Kenya’s last coastal points, is now part of national development," he said.

According to Ambeta, the opportunities created by the blue economy now extend beyond fishing, with tourism, boat operations, passenger transport and seaweed farming providing alternative sources of income.

He says seaweed farming is particularly creating opportunities for women and young people, who are earning from products made from seaweed, including soap and oil.

Ambeta believes increased investment could transform Shimoni into a major centre of development within the next five years.

In Mombasa, Old Town Beach Management Unit chairman Salim Amin Salim says training and improved organisation have also helped fishing communities strengthen their livelihoods.

Salim says BMU leaders have received training in areas including Kilifi and Ukunda, where they have gained skills in leadership, financial management, cooperation and the effective management of beach management units.

He appreciates the government and fisheries officials for prioritising the training of fishermen and helping them obtain the necessary permits.

"Fishermen have also moved from using traditional canoes to motorized fiberglass boats with engines, while BMUs in Mombasa and other areas have opened cooperatives that allow fishermen to save part of their income and build a better future," he said.

Salim said coastal communities still depend heavily on fishing, but changing conditions at sea make it necessary to develop alternative sources of income.

Salim hopes the government will continue training fishermen while supporting other ways of earning from marine resources, including cage fishing.

He says fishing communities previously lacked proper training, savings structures and modern fishing methods, leaving many fishermen struggling to improve their livelihoods.

Salim notes that fishermen were once viewed as people with little literacy, but training programmes and cooperatives are helping them develop skills, save their earnings and improve the way they conduct their work.

Similar changes are being experienced by fishermen in Kwale and Kilifi counties. 

Salim Mazera, who was born in Kwale County and now lives in Kilifi County, says fishermen have moved from traditional canoes and paddles to engine-powered boats and modern fishing equipment.

He says registration under BMUs and the acquisition of licences have also made fishing easier, as fishermen can operate with greater confidence when they have the required permits for themselves and their boats.

He says the progress can be seen in his area, where fishermen now have six boats, demonstrating how the sector has changed from the traditional methods used in the past.

Mazera, however, wants the government to ensure that support reaches every landing site, arguing that different fishing communities face different challenges.

He says the ageing population of fishermen makes it increasingly important to support young people entering the sector with the equipment and skills they need.

"More attention should be given to young people by supporting them with proper fishing gear, boats and engines so that the next generation of fishermen can continue and succeed," he stated.

He recalls that fishermen previously relied on canoes and paddles and, despite the availability of fish, often received low prices for their catch.

Mazera says the situation has changed, with licensing, BMU registration, engine-powered boats and modern fishing gear giving fishermen better conditions in which to work.

Elsewhere, Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site and Blue Economy Office Complex is a step closer to becoming operational after the completion of construction under the World Bank-supported Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) Project.

In an update on Thursday, August 6, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the modern facility is currently awaiting formal handover to the County Government of Kilifi.

Omollo said the facility has been strategically established in Kilifi Town and equipped with renewable energy infrastructure to improve fisheries management while supporting the Blue Economy.

"Strategically located near the Old Ferry landing site in Kilifi Town, the solar-powered facility is designed to strengthen fisheries management, improve fish handling and support the growth of the Blue Economy," he wrote.

Omollo noted that the complex has been designed to provide multiple government services under one roof, making it easier for stakeholders to access essential services related to the fisheries sector.

"The complex will serve as a one-stop centre for key public services, including fisheries licensing and registration, coordination of Beach Management Units (BMUs), enforcement of fisheries regulations and delivery of government services to coastal communities," he added.

Omollo added that once the handover process is complete and the facility begins operations, it is expected to improve efficiency across the fisheries value chain.

"Once operational, the facility is expected to enhance service delivery, improve compliance within the fisheries sector and create a more efficient environment for fishers, traders and other stakeholders along the value chain," he concluded.