MPs are questioning the relevance of the Kenya Fish Marketing Authority (KFMA) after it was revealed that the agency has been functioning without staff, budget, or offices. Despite existing for eight years, the KFMA has been unable to fulfill its mandate, yet board members continue to receive allowances.
The agency has 13 board members, who collectively earned Sh10 million in the last financial year from a total allocation of Sh51 million. According to KFMA chairman Martin Ogindo, board members are still owed additional allowances, though he did not specify the amount.
“We spent Sh10 million on board matters and still have unpaid allowances,” Ogindo informed the Blue Economy and Irrigation Committee, chaired by Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama.
The committee learned that one board member had resigned, leaving 12 members to operate from a hazardous building in Nairobi. Ogindo, who has been in his role for a year and a half, expressed concern about his impending term conclusion and the lack of accountability during his tenure.
“My time as chairman is running out, and I need to account for the three years. Although we have a full board and an acting CEO, we lack permanent staff and are operating from a condemned building that was formerly used by the Fisheries Department,” Ogindo said.
Initially tasked with overseeing fish marketing nationwide, the authority’s budget has been drastically reduced, dropping from Sh51 million in the 2023/24 financial year to just Sh4.89 million in the current year, despite a requirement of Sh546 million.
Ogindo mentioned his unsuccessful attempts to meet with the Principal Secretary regarding the budget cuts. “On March 11, 2024, I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for a meeting so the board could discuss the issues. I don’t want to place blame, but I still haven’t received a response,” he added.
Unable to hire its own staff, the agency has been relying on seconded personnel and interns for daily operations, although it is supposed to have a staff of 60.
MPs questioned the agency’s purpose and sustainability. Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were suggested that the government should dissolve agencies that do not add value. “It’s notable that the number of board members exceeds the number of staff,” he remarked.
Tiaty MP William Kamket asked whether the agency was ever truly necessary or if it was created to fail.
The KFMA was established under the Fisheries Management and Development Act of 2016 to promote fish and fishery products in Kenya. Prior to its formation, there was no specific government entity for this purpose.
Ogindo was appointed by President William Ruto to lead the board. He presented documents showing that Kenya earns Sh5 billion annually from foreign exchange related to the fishing industry, which directly employs 500,000 people. However, he emphasized the industry’s potential to generate up to Sh100 billion.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Kenya has 1.14 million hectares suitable for aquaculture, capable of producing 11 million tonnes of fish worth over 750 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately $7.3 billion) annually.
Committee chairman David Kangogo stated that they will invite Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho and his Principal Secretary to discuss the agency’s operational issues.
