Joho defends his docket over Sh1.6 billion used for 'fish counting' in Indian Ocean

Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy Affairs, Hassan Joho, on Thursday, defended his department’s decision to spend Sh1.6 billion on a fish stock assessment in the Indian Ocean, clarifying that the exercise had been misunderstood as a simple fish count.

Joho explained that the fish stock assessment involves far more than just counting fish and therefore warranted such a significant sum of money.

"I want to clarify that the exercise undertaken was not merely counting fish, but a comprehensive activity involving scientists to assess various aspects of marine life," said Joho.

He emphasised the importance of the assessment, noting that it helps the government better understand the Indian Ocean ecosystem and identify whether certain fish species are endangered.

"Fish stock assessment is crucial for determining the health of the fish ecosystem, particularly in identifying which species are endangered and in need of protection," Joho explained.

The CS added that without such an exercise, Kenya risks falling behind neighbouring countries in its knowledge of marine resources.

He cited examples of Uganda, Tanzania, and Somalia, which regularly conduct fish stock assessments.

"This exercise is not new. Other countries such as Somalia, Uganda, and Tanzania do it regularly. Why should it be an issue if Kenya does the same?" Joho posed.

Joho’s comments come a month after lawmakers expressed frustration following revelations that the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs had spent Sh1.6 billion on a fish stock assessment in the Indian Ocean during the 2023/2024 financial year.

Members of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water, and Irrigation raised concerns about the value for money, claiming that the assessment had not yielded tangible results.

The revelations about the expenditure were made by CS Joho and Principal Secretary Betsy Muthoni Njagi, who appeared before the committee.

Documents presented to the committee, chaired by Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen, revealed that a total of Sh3.6 billion had been allocated to the ministry over three years for fish stock assessments in the Indian Ocean.

The first phase of the project, which commenced on July 1, 2023 and concluded on June 30, 2024, saw the Ministry spend Sh1.6 billion.

The exercise, which began on July 1, 2023, is set to be completed by the 2025/2026 financial year and will be implemented in three phases.

"Out of that assessment, what is the end product? Do you have anything to show for it? We gave you about Sh1.2 billion to carry out a stock assessment in the first year," said the committee.

"At this point, you should be telling us and the country that we have this number of tuna, this number of tilapia, etc. We gave you the money so we can know what resources we have in our waters."

Tiaty MP William Kamket questioned the rationale behind allocating billions for fish counting amidst competing national priorities.