President Kenyatta signs Fisheries Bill into law

President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law the Fisheries Management and Development Bill.

The Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016 provides for the conservation, management and development of fisheries and other aquatic resources to enhance the livelihood of communities that depend on fishing.

The new law also gives guidance on the import and export trade of fish and fish products, fish quality and safety among other provisions. It also establishes the Kenya Fisheries Services and the Kenya Fisheries Advisory Council.

Functions of the Kenya Fisheries Services include: ensuring the appropriate conservation, development of standards on management, sustainable use and protection of the country’s fisheries resources.

Speaking when he signed the Bill before commissioning the Ksh.30 billion first phase of the second container terminal at Mombasa Port, President Kenyatta said the new law will ensure that the country’s marine resources are used for the benefit of Kenyans – especially Coast residents.

“With this law in place, we are able to protect our marine resources from exploitation by other nationals at the expense of our people,” President Kenyatta said.

He said the new law will also help the country to utilise the blue economy to create jobs for Kenyan youth.

President Kenyatta also announced the formation of a committee that will be headed by Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Samson Mwathethe, to fine tune ways that will guard marine resources against external exploitation.

The committee, which has been given one month to present its report, will also look into ways of building fishing vessels and industries that will create jobs.

On regional integration, President Kenyatta affirmed that the East African member states are working in harmony to promote the welfare of the citizens of the region.

He said there is no bad blood between Kenya and Tanzania, adding that the two neighbours have always enjoyed warm relations.

“East Africa is not in competition with itself but with the rest of the world,” President Kenyatta said.

Deputy President William Ruto underscored the need for Mombasa County government to work with the national Government, saying that the national government has initiated several projects – including the allocation of Ksh.750 million for specialised medical equipment for Coast General Hospital and Ksh.400 million for Likoni Hospital, that will improve the lives of residents.

He told Governor Hassan Joho to be honest, put aside partisan politics and work together with the national government for the benefit of the people.

Governor Joho has expressed the need for both levels of governments to work together, to which the Deputy President said: “The quest for the national and county government should go beyond the talk into concrete action.”

He said the Jubilee Government is ready to work with all leaders who are focused on serving Kenyans but not those who are only out to propagate their selfish political agenda.