The Blue Economy Committee, chaired by Dr Paul Otuoma, Busia Governor, convened its inaugural sitting this week, bringing together development partners, national government representatives, and county leaders in a consultative forum aimed at accelerating Kenya’s Blue Economy agenda.
The meeting marked a significant milestone in establishing a unified and well-coordinated approach to harnessing the country’s vast aquatic resources for sustainable development.
The forum underscored the shared commitment to build a coherent and transformative sector capable of delivering prosperity and resilient livelihoods for both coastal and inland communities.
During the session, members of the Committee unanimously elected Maj. Rtd. Dr. Dhadho Godhana as the Vice Chair, affirming his experience and leadership in advancing devolved priorities within the Blue Economy space.
His appointment is expected to further strengthen inter-county collaboration and deepen engagement with national and international partners.
Participants reaffirmed their resolve to work collectively, counties, the national government, and development partners, to co-create impactful programmes, align ongoing interventions with county priorities, and establish a structured coordination framework that ensures accountability and measurable impact.
The consultative forum also provided an opportunity to review existing initiatives, identify gaps, and set a roadmap for future interventions that will support sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, maritime innovation, and blue-based value chains.
The Committee expressed optimism that with enhanced coordination and strong political goodwill, Kenya is poised to unlock the full potential of its Blue Economy and generate meaningful socio-economic benefits for communities across the country.