The government has announced plans to set up a new Sh100 million fish processing plant that is set to revolutionize the fishing industry in Naivasha.

In a move set to revolutionize fishing, the national government through the fisheries’ department aims at ending post-harvest losses and improving the fishing industry within the area as part of an initiative to reenergize the economy of the region.

Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, speaking at the Kamere landing beach in Naivasha, said that despite the silence that has prevailed within the fishery ministry over many years, the lake has a lot of potential that needs to be tapped.

“The ministry is keen on tapping into the sector by empowering fishermen,” he said. He noted that Lake Naivasha is among the key water bodies with high potential in fish production alongside other bodies such as Lake Baringo, Lake Turkana, Lake Victoria, and the Indian Ocean.

Mr Mvurya also unveiled plans to stop importation of fish from foreign countries saying that the government is committed to having a new narrative of export. He pointed out the government’s efforts of setting up a Sh1billion fingerlings production in Kisumu with a capacity for producing 700,000 fingerlings annually with the aim towards boosting local fish production.

This announcement also had the donation of a Sh50 million patrol boat to the Department of Fisheries, which received commendation from fisherfolk representative in the county assembly Grace Nyambura. She hailed the government on its war against illegal fishing and urged for more security officers to ensure welfare of the fisheries at the lake.