Lamu’s blue economy poised to soar as Kenya seeks bids for Sh2.5 million fishing boats
The initiative, implemented through the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socioeconomic Development Project (KEMFSED), seeks to enhance offshore fishing capacity and create new opportunities in the coastal economy.
The government has invited bids for the supply and delivery of five offshore fishing boats under a World Bank-funded project aimed at boosting Lamu County's marine economy.
The initiative, implemented through the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socioeconomic Development Project (KEMFSED), seeks to enhance offshore fishing capacity and create new opportunities in the coastal economy.
More To Read
- Experts converge in Mombasa to tackle marine pollution, boost blue economy
- Global marine experts convene in Mombasa to tackle overfishing, pollution, climate threats
- Environmentalists warn climate change is draining Lamu’s fish stocks
- Lamu fishermen decry harassment, accuse government of unfair fishing rules
- Lamu fishermen laud establishement of new cold storage facility in Kiwayu
- Kenya, Tanzania step up push for region's first transboundary marine Ramsar site
“The Government of Kenya has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socioeconomic Development Project (KEMFSED), and it intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for supply and delivery of five longliner offshore fishing boats,” Lamu County Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under the Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy said in a special procurement notice dated October 27, 2025.
The tender, referenced CGL/KEMFSED/RFB/01/2025-2026, will follow the national competitive procurement process using a Request for Bids (RFB) one-envelope procedure, in line with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF) Borrowers, Fifth Edition, September 2023. The process is open to all eligible suppliers as defined in the procurement regulations.
Interested bidders have been urged to obtain further information from the KEMFSED County Office at the Lamu Maritime Training and Innovation Centre or via email at [email protected] and [email protected], or by calling +254 721 158 420.
Bidders can also inspect the bidding document during office hours from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, excluding weekends and public holidays.
Bids must also be deposited in the tender box located at the Lamu Maritime Training and Innovation Centre, along the Lamu Port Highway, and must be received on or before November 17, 2025, at 11:00 am.
The agency said submissions should be clearly marked: “Supply and Delivery of 5 No. Longliner Offshore Fishing Boats, Tender No. CGL/KEMFSED/RFB/01/2025-2026.”
It warned that late and electronic bids will not be accepted. The department added that bids will be opened immediately after the closing time in the presence of bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.
“All bids must be accompanied by bid security of Sh2,500,000 issued by a reputable bank in Kenya,” the notice specifies.
“The bid security must remain valid up to and including 28 days after the expiration of the bid validity. Insurance bonds will not be accepted.”
The procurement notice also highlighted compliance with World Bank rules on transparency and beneficial ownership disclosure.
“Attention is drawn to the Procurement Regulations requiring the Borrower to disclose information on the successful bidder’s beneficial ownership, as part of the Contract Award Notice, using the Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Form included in the bidding document,” it reads.
All interested bidders have been urged to continually check the Lamu County Government website (www.lamu.go.ke) for any tender addenda and clarifications before the submission date.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Lamu’s blue economy by expanding offshore fishing capacity and creating new economic opportunities along Kenya’s coast.
Top Stories Today
