President William Ruto, EGH, Hosts Coast Region Leaders to Address Key Developmental Issues

His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, EGH, President of the Republic of Kenya, recently hosted a high-level delegation of Coast Region leaders at State House. The delegation was led by Hon. Hassan Ali Joho, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs,Hon. Salim Mvurya, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Sports, the Creative Economy, and Youth Affairs. Also in attendance were H.E. Issa Timamy, Governor of Lamu County, Senators Hon. Juma Boy (Kwale) and Hon. Mohamed Faki (Mombasa), and Coastal Parliamentary Group (CPG) Chair Hon. Danson Mwashako.

The meeting also saw the participation of Principal Secretary for the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Madam Betsy Njagi, alongside Hon. Jimmy Kahindi, Chairman of the Kenya Fishing Industries Corporation (KFIC),Dr. Mikah Nyaberi, KFIC Chief Executive Officer.

Central to the discussions were key challenges affecting the coastal counties, including historical land injustices, youth unemployment, and the need for stronger government interventions to support sustainable livelihoods.

A major point of focus was the reaffirmation of the strategic importance of KFIC to the region’s socioeconomic development. Leaders unanimously called for the Cabinet resolution to keep KFIC operational to be upheld. They emphasized the need to equip the corporation with adequate resources and institutional support to fully execute its mandate of transforming the fisheries sector, creating employment opportunities, and driving economic growth through sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

The deliberations echoed KFIC’s mission to be a catalyst for industrial fisheries transformation and job creation in Kenya, and its vision to be a leading player in sustainable fisheries development and blue economy advancement.