•This Comes Following Uproar Over the Bill Which Stakeholders Have Termed ‘Deeply Flawed’
In a major policy shift driven by intense pressure from key players in Kenya’s blue economy, the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs has agreed with the Council of Governors (CoG) to jointly petition Parliament for the immediate withdrawal of the Fisheries Management and Development Bill, 2023.
The landmark decision was reached during a sitting of the CoG Blue Economy Committee held in Mombasa, chaired by Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma and attended by Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho.
The meeting followed a detailed presentation by the Lake Victoria Aquaculture Association (LVA), a key stakeholder group representing aquaculture interests in the country.
The LVA, through its Board Secretary Pete Ondeng, welcomed the Ministry’s and CoG’s stance, calling it a breakthrough for the aquaculture sector.
“This decision marks a turning point and opens the door for a truly inclusive and evidence-based legislative process,” Ondeng told the media following the Mombasa session.
The LVA, which was established in 2024 as a unified platform for aquaculture stakeholders, has been leading a coordinated national campaign to challenge the proposed bill.
According to Ondeng, the bill, currently before the National Assembly, is a rehash of the outdated 2016 framework, drafted without a foundational national aquaculture policy or proper consultation with industry players.
“The Bill fails to recognize aquaculture as a distinct economic sector, lacks sufficient provisions for devolution, and was developed in a closed process that excluded key stakeholders,” he stated.
He further revealed that on April 7, the association formally wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly urging Parliament to suspend the bill and initiate a transparent and participatory legislative review.
The letter was preceded by a high-level roundtable convened by LVA in Kisumu earlier that month, which brought together over 40 sector experts and stakeholders.
Participants at the forum unanimously condemned the Bill as “deeply flawed” and called for its withdrawal.
Among the main concerns raised by the stakeholders are the bill’s potential to stifle innovation, deter investment, and undermine inclusive growth in Kenya’s aquaculture industry — a sector increasingly viewed as a key contributor to food security, employment, and economic development.
In response, CS Joho and the CoG agreed to form a Joint Working Group tasked with spearheading a new drafting process for the fisheries legislation.
This process is expected to be inclusive, evidence-driven, and aligned with Kenya’s constitutional and development priorities.
“This is a significant breakthrough and a huge step forward for everyone who depends on a thriving and well-governed fisheries sector,” Ondeng said.
“We commend the Ministry and the CoG for listening to stakeholders and for showing leadership in charting a better path forward.”
He affirmed that LVA will continue to collaborate with government bodies, development partners, and other stakeholders to ensure the revised bill reflects the realities and aspirations of those it seeks to govern.
The move signals a broader shift in Kenya’s legislative approach to blue economy governance — from top-down policymaking to inclusive stakeholder-driven development — and could set a precedent for how future sectoral laws are developed in line with devolution and participatory governance principles.
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