Kilifi: The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) Project has awarded Sh983.7 million in grants to 287 self-help groups in Kilifi County since its inception. Mr. Mung'aro stated that these funds include Sh590 million recently received by the county government for the implementation of 152 sub-projects in phase three of the KEMFSED Project, which commenced on Tuesday. Additionally, about Sh380 million had been disbursed in the first two phases to 137 groups since the project's start in 2020.
According to Kenya News Agency, the World Bank-funded project has also benefited students in various basic and higher education institutions with approximately Sh15.2 million. The Governor announced the signing of agreements between the County Chief Officer for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Christine Pekeshe, and the KEMFSED Project Coordinator, Lucy Kapombe.
The county leader highlighted that the beneficiary self-help groups are implementing sub-projects across sectors such as fisheries, the environment, livestock, agriculture, community development, and SMEs. Under phases one and two, 135 sub-projects are already underway. With the commencement of phase three, the total number of sub-projects will rise to 287, benefiting 15,030 members of these groups in Kilifi County.
The initiatives include 149 fisheries, 56 livestock, 51 agriculture, 18 social welfare, eight environmental, and five SME projects, which collectively aim to benefit 15,030 Kilifi residents. However, Mr. Mung'aro urged the beneficiaries to maintain transparency in the implementation of these sub-projects, as their success is vital for the economic growth of the county.
Furthermore, Governor Mung'aro announced that the World Bank had authorized and disbursed Sh470 million for the construction of a fisheries development center in Kilifi town. This funding will also provide modern fisheries equipment, build the county fisheries headquarters, and rehabilitate the fisheries offices in Kilifi.
The project received praise from local leaders, including Members of Parliament Kenneth Kazungu Tungule (Ganze), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), and Amina Mnyazi (Malindi), who noted significant improvements in the economic standards of families involved in the projects. Representatives of various self-help groups expressed that the project had enabled them to undertake ventures that helped sustain their families, while students benefiting from the scholarship component shared positive testimonials.