Kenyan fisherman cross to European borders

 By Leah Wanjiru

Kenya has received certification to export farm fish to the European Union, Fisheries Principal Secretary (PS) Micheni Ntiba has said.

The PS, who spoke when he led a team from the Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme in paying a courtesy call to Meru Governor Peter Munya, did not, however, provide details about the EU move.

Globally, 50 per cent of all fish consumed is from natural waters and the rest from fish farms.

However, in Kenya aquaculture accounts for only 24 per cent of fish consumed.

The country’s output of fish from natural waters has remained stagnant due to overfishing.

Most of Kenya’s produce is exported to the EU and Asia.

Prof Ntiba vouched for the promotion of aquaculture in the country.

“The focus in the world is now aquaculture,” the PS said.

Mr Munya said his government had increased fish farming and that the county has more than 140 ponds.

He said Meru is also looking for investors to run a fish processing factory that it had established.

“We don’t want the county government to run it. We want support in looking for investors to run it,” Mr Munya said.