The government has agreed to withdraw the contentious Fisheries Management and Development Bill (2023) following sustained pressure from key industry stakeholders. The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, together with the Council of Governors (CoG), will now champion a fresh, inclusive legislative review process.
This decision was announced during a high-level meeting in Mombasa chaired by Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, who leads the CoG Blue Economy Committee. The Lake Victoria Aquaculture Association (LVA), a newly formed body representing aquaculture stakeholders, played a pivotal role in advocating for the Bill’s withdrawal.
Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, Hassan Joho, endorsed the decision, emphasizing the need for a modern and inclusive legal framework. “We are fully aligned with the view that the legal framework governing our fisheries and aquaculture sectors must be forward-looking, inclusive and practical,” Joho stated. He warned against retaining outdated laws that risk stalling progress and innovation in the sector.
The LVA Association had earlier convened a roundtable in Kisumu, bringing together over 40 experts who unanimously agreed that the Bill was deeply flawed. Key concerns included the Bill’s reliance on outdated 2016 provisions, the lack of a national aquaculture policy, and the failure to recognize aquaculture as a distinct economic sector.
In a formal letter dated April 7, the LVA petitioned Parliament to halt the Bill and initiate a transparent legislative overhaul. They also submitted a detailed memorandum outlining the Bill’s shortcomings, warning that its passage could undermine investment and innovation in the blue economy.
Following this advocacy, the ministry and CoG have agreed to form a Joint Working Group to oversee a new, stakeholder-driven drafting process. The resulting Bill will be presented to Parliament for consideration.
Pete Ondeng, Secretary to the LVA Board, lauded the move, calling it a milestone for the sector. “We commend the ministry and the Council of Governors for showing leadership in charting a better path forward,” he said.
The association has pledged to continue engaging stakeholders and government partners to ensure the new process is inclusive, evidence-based, and aligned with national development goals.
