The Kakamega government has embraced aquaculture as a vital strategy for enhancing food security. Through the “Adopt a Fish” initiative, the county is harnessing its natural resources to uplift rural communities and promote fish farming as a key income-generating activity.
This project is part of a broader strategy to diversify economic activities beyond the traditional reliance on sugarcane cultivation. In partnership with the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Kakamega is supporting women, youth, and people with disabilities through inclusive practices across various value chains.
Governor Fernandes Barasa reported that the county has invested Sh216 million over the past two years in fish farming, including the purchase of pond liners, predator nets, and fingerlings. Additionally, the county has received Sh270 million from IFAD through ABDP to further support fish farming initiatives. This partnership has led to the stocking of four public dams with mixed-sex fingerlings, benefiting around 1,200 households.
The four reservoirs—Lugulu and Siyenga dams in Likuyani sub-county and Musembe and Mwamba in Lugari constituency—are located in northern Kakamega. The county also offers extension services and has created employment opportunities to encourage local farmers to engage in fish farming.
Food security is a central focus of Governor Barasa’s six-point agenda for transforming the county. Approximately 6,976 farmers are expected to benefit from these initiatives. With around 9,988 fish ponds capable of producing more than 1,798 tonnes of fish in seven months, the potential for growth is substantial.
Fisheries chief officer Jessica Weku explained that farmers are organized into Small Aquaculture Groups (SAGs), consisting of 30 fish farmers each, to facilitate training, input sourcing, financing, and marketing. Currently, 94 SAGs are active, with a target of 98. The county has supported the construction of 624 new fish ponds, rehabilitated 1,361 others, and stocked them with 1,901,100 fingerlings during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years. These fingerlings, valued at Sh16.5 million, produced 147,211 kg of fish worth Sh53.4 million.
ABDP has distributed 710,000 fingerlings across 12 constituencies, and the county has facilitated the distribution of fish feeds, hatchery materials, a motorized boat, and digital weighing scales.
The Mumunyonzo Dam Integrated Agriculture Project in Nzoia ward, Likuyani constituency, is another significant initiative. Covering 15 acres, this project features a rehabilitated five-acre dam and aims to enhance aquaculture by demonstrating modern fish farming techniques and utilizing dam water for irrigation of African leafy vegetables. This project will benefit 7,027 people, including 2,816 men and 4,211 women, with a focus on vulnerable and marginalized groups.
A notable feature of the project is “Fresh Fish Fridays,” which addresses fish marketing challenges in northern Kakamega. Since its inception, Mumunyonzo has organized 35 market days, selling 1,684 kg of fish and generating Sh842,000 as of August 23.
Fisheries executive Godfrey Owori highlighted that the ABDP partnership significantly supports Governor Barasa’s food security agenda. He noted that the increasing population has heightened fish demand, which can only be met through the ABDP’s climate-resilient technologies, including PVC liners, predator nets, fingerlings, and household training.
The Kakamega fish processing factory, run by DAS Group under an MOU with the county, will provide a market for locally produced fish. The factory, certified by ABDP and IFAD, is equipped to process and export 20 tonnes of fish daily, with an annual demand of 7,000 tonnes. It meets EU standards for fish processing and is set to export to at least 27 EU countries.
ABDP county programme coordinator Norman Munala praised the project’s impact over its five years of implementation. He highlighted the Aquaculture Field School methodology, which empowers farmers to become experts in fish farming, leading to increased pond construction and rehabilitation.
