Nairobi: The County Government of Turkana, through its Department of Trade, Gender, Youth Affairs and Tourism, in collaboration with Trademark Africa, has convened a consultative meeting aimed at empowering women and youth in the fisheries sector. This initiative is part of a broader five-year project designed to enhance inclusive access to fisheries opportunities throughout the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the meeting gathered key stakeholders including representatives from Kenya Fisheries Services, Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), and Micro Save Consulting Limited. The discussions focused on leveraging the fisheries sector as a vehicle for economic empowerment for women and youth in Turkana. The project rests on four main pillars: reducing barriers in market linkages, increasing fish trade in the region, promoting community resilience, and fortifying the Pan-African programme through inclusive participation.
During the meeting, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Gender, Youth Affairs and Tourism, Roseline Aite, emphasized Turkana's commitment to supporting inclusive economic programs. Aite stated, "We are committed to creating an enabling environment where women and youth can fully participate and benefit from fisheries trade. This project will strengthen market access and promote cross-border fish trade that directly benefits our communities." She also highlighted the blue economy as a crucial opportunity for long-term economic growth in the area, underscoring its potential to improve livelihoods, support food security, increase household income, and diversify the County's economy.
County Chief Officer for Trade, Josephine Tangarae, pointed out the significance of partnerships in achieving sustainable outcomes. "Through this collaboration, we aim to build resilient fisheries value chains that empower local entrepreneurs and connect them to regional markets," Tangarae stated. Trademark Africa representative Maureen Wanyonyi affirmed their dedication to promoting equity and sustainable development within the fisheries sector. "We will work closely with the County government and other partners to ensure the project addresses the unique challenges faced by women and youth while also building lasting structures that enhance competitiveness and inclusivity in fisheries," Wanyonyi emphasized.
The stakeholders have agreed to focus on community-driven strategies that align with the County's development goals and foster regional trade in fish products. The initiative is expected to revolutionize Turkana's fisheries landscape, creating new opportunities for marginalized groups through training, infrastructure support, and improved access to local and regional markets. Present at the meeting were also Willis Oyango (Kenya Fisheries Service), Susanne Njeri (AWFBER), Benedect Alubisia (Trademark Africa), and Wilson Ejie (Deputy Director Trade).