Key players in Kenya’s blue economy are calling for united efforts to tap into the sector’s vast potential as a way of solving the growing youth unemployment crisis. The appeal was made in Kisumu during the launch of the 4th Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit 2025, with stakeholders stressing that the maritime sector can become a major job creation engine if given enough attention and investment.
David Ogiga, the Director of Sote Hub, said the blue economy value chain offers wide opportunities for economic growth and youth employment. Ogiga, who spoke during the launch event, noted that the upcoming summit scheduled to take place in September in Mombasa will focus on exploring how to fully unlock these opportunities. According to him, many areas within the sector remain underutilised, despite the potential for job creation.
“The Blue Economy has huge potential to create jobs. We are pushing for more opportunities to absorb our youth into this space,” said Ogiga. He revealed that although the sector currently employs about 1.5 million people, this figure is still low compared to what it can achieve. “In terms of contribution to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the sector is below 5 percent. With the right strategies, we can raise this to over 10 times what we currently contribute,” he added.
Michael Omondi, who heads the blue economy department in Homa Bay County, explained that several counties along the Lake Victoria basin are already taking active steps to expand employment opportunities in the sector. He said support from the national government has enabled Homa Bay County to develop its lakefront area, opening up space for new businesses and tourism.
“The lakefront has opened many opportunities for our youth. We are seeing growth in local tourism, especially with new resorts coming up on Lake Victoria’s islands,” said Omondi. He added that the county is encouraging young people to explore boat-making, fish cage fabrication, inland fish farming, and hospitality ventures.
Omondi also noted that the county government is working to enhance fish production through better hatcheries and ensuring the availability of affordable, quality fish feeds. “We are also building new markets, upgrading fish landing sites, and providing training to make sure our youth are well-equipped to take up these opportunities,” he said.
The Summit aims to focus discussions on how to lure more young people into the sector and explore ideas like inland fish pond farming, tourism services, and value chain businesses. According to Omondi, many young entrepreneurs are already venturing into the fabrication of fish cages and supplying farm inputs, showing a growing interest in the industry.
Israel Agina, Chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) in Kisumu, said the opening up of Lake Victoria and other water bodies will be key to solving the rising joblessness among young Kenyans. He noted that the increasing protests and dissatisfaction among youths are often driven by lack of employment, which the blue economy could help reduce.
“This sector has the capacity to employ our youth, what is needed is to create that atmosphere for them to thrive,” Agina said. He expressed confidence that with the right policies, infrastructure, and training, Kenya can develop a strong maritime economy that benefits both the local communities and the country at large.
Stakeholders believe that full exploitation of the sector will require collaboration between national and county governments, private sector players, and development partners. With the upcoming 2025 Summit in Mombasa, they hope that new ideas and investments will emerge to strengthen Kenya’s position in the regional blue economy.
The blue economy refers to sustainable use of ocean and water resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation while preserving the health of aquatic ecosystems. Kenya’s access to the Indian Ocean, as well as its many lakes and rivers, places it in a strong position to benefit from this sector if the right support is put in place.
