The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Ali Joho, has announced the formation of a task force to address contentious issues surrounding the Fisheries Management and Development (Aquaculture) Regulations, 2024.
This move follows a constitutional petition filed by the Lake Victoria Aquaculture (LVA) Association on December 24, 2024, challenging the regulations published under Legal Notice No. 126 of 2024.
The LVA Association argued that the regulations introduced punitive licensing fees and an ad valorem levy on fish landed, measures deemed unconstitutional and detrimental to the growth of Kenya’s aquaculture industry.
The task force comprises representatives from the Ministry, the Council of Governors (CoG), the Lake Victoria Aquaculture (LVA) Association, and other key sector players.
Its mandate is to deliberate on stakeholders’ concerns and derive practical recommendations to resolve the issues that led to the court-ordered suspension of the regulations.
Speaking during a meeting with a section of stakeholders at his office on Thursday, CS Joho encouraged the task force to approach their mandate positively and collaboratively.
“We are not in competition,” he said, referencing the legal case. “We are all on the same team. We all want the sector to succeed,” he said.
The LVA Association is a membership organization established in July 2024 to advance a well-regulated, sustainable aquaculture industry in the Lake Victoria region.
The Association fosters collaboration among fish farmers, industry players, government agencies, and financial institutions, promoting equitable growth, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment.
Commenting on the decision to file a legal petition, LVA Chairman Ochieng’ Mbeo explained that stakeholders had been excluded from meaningful involvement in the regulatory process, and several contentious provisions, including unreasonable fees, had been covertly introduced after initial drafts were reviewed.
He explained that the timing of the gazettement, just before the Christmas break, left the industry with no alternative but to seek court intervention.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
Property prices in Nairobi’s suburbs and satellite towns rise by 0.8%
“We are very encouraged by the decision by the CS to create an opportunity for the voice of the sector’s stakeholders to be heard in policymaking,” Mbeo added.
Mr. Pete Ondeng, LVA Board Secretary and Co-Chair of the task force, reiterated the Association’s commitment to constructive dialogue.
“LVA remains dedicated to working with the government and stakeholders to develop policies that support sustainable aquaculture growth and economic empowerment,” he said.
He praised CS Joho’s decision to establish the task force and emphasized the importance of collaboration and accountability in advancing Kenya’s Blue Economy.
The task force is set to begin work immediately and is expected to deliver actionable recommendations before the court-ordered suspension of the regulations expires on February 10, 2025.
By Fredrick Odiero.
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
