President Uhuru Kenyatta lands in Mombasa on Monday to launch the newly formed Kenya Coast Guard.
The government aims to save over Sh10 billion in revenue lost annually through illegal fishing.
Part of the KCG job will be protecting Kenya’s territorial waters from criminals and the exclusive economic zone from illegal fishing.
KCG headquarters will be at Liwatoni, Mombasa. Vincent Loonena has been appointed the director general.
Uhuru has on numerous occasion said despite the huge fish resources in the Indian Ocean, there was nothing to show for it.
In 2016, Uhuru said the country has the potential to produce more than 174,000 metric tonnes annually from fishing. Current production is about 9,000 metric tonnes.
According to research carried out by the University of British Columbia in Canada, China is the largest country fishing in African sea waters.
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics says China’s fish exports to Kenya hit the Sh1 billion mark in 2015. The country is reportedly using a fleet of at least 2,600 boats.
Dena said the KCG will also be responsible for enforcing maritime security and safety, pollution control and sanitation measures as well as prosecution of offenders.
“It will further be responsible for port and coastal security, search and rescue and protection of maritime resources, including fisheries,” she said.
Cases of piracy in Indian Ocean off Somalia coast increased in 2017 according to International Maritime Bureau. Nine piracy attacks occurred last year compared two in 2016, IMB said.
Six years ago, pirates launched 237 attacks off the coast of Somalia with hundreds being held hostage, IMB noted.
“Our fishermen should not be worried about threats on the deep sea. We have the best forces in Africa,” Dena said Thursday at press briefing in Mombasa State House. Officers from Kenya Defence Forces will serve at KCG.
Dena said the upcoming Sustainable Blue Economy conference to be held in Nairobi will impact positively to the Coast residents.
The conference will will focus on new technologies and innovation for oceans, seas, lakes and rivers as well as the challenges, potential opportunities, priorities and partnerships.
“The president is committed to reviving fishing in the ocean,” she said.
Dena aslo said Kenya will start exporting avacado, macadamia and vegetables to China.
“On November 4, the president led a delegation of over 100 businessmen to China and side bilateral deals,” she said. This equalized trade between Kenya and China, she added.
Dena said Kenya is committed on war against terrorism after attending the World War I memorial in France.
Uhuru also said Kenya will achieve a 100 per cent clean energy target by 2020. Kenya is at 70 per cent.