Kenya's vast ocean and inland waters, a resource with the potential to inject up to KES 500 billion annually into the economy, is facing significant headwinds from persistent governance gaps, maritime experts have warned. A lack of policy clarity, fragmented management, and the exclusion of coastal communities are preventing the nation from fully harnessing this aquatic wealth.

The challenge comes as Kenya champions the 'Blue Economy'—the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth—as a core pillar of its Vision 2030 development blueprint. However, without urgent reforms to address systemic failures, this economic frontier, crucial for creating jobs and securing food supplies, remains more of a promise than a reality for millions of Kenyans.

An Ocean of Untapped Potential

Kenya's maritime territory is vast, covering an Exclusive Economic Zone of approximately 230,000 square kilometres. Globally, the blue economy is valued at over $24 trillion (approx. KES 3,120 trillion), and while Kenya's share is currently modest, its potential is enormous. President Kenyatta previously noted the sector could easily triple its present contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.

Key sectors ripe for expansion include:

• Fisheries: The marine fisheries potential is estimated at between 150,000 to 300,000 metric tonnes annually, yet illegal and unregulated fishing remains a major challenge.
• Tourism: Coastal tourism already represents a significant portion of the sector's value but is threatened by coastal degradation and pollution.
• Maritime Transport: As a strategic gateway to East Africa, modernising ports and shipping is critical.
• Emerging Areas: Sustainable aquaculture, marine renewable energy, and biotechnology offer new avenues for growth and investment.

This economic model extends to what is known as the Blue Circular Economy, which focuses on sustainable practices like recycling marine plastic waste and discarded fishing gear into new products.

The View from the Coastline

Despite the high-level policy focus, coastal communities—the frontline stakeholders—are often left out of the decision-making process. A study on coastal counties noted that while there are tangible benefits for locals involved in blue economy projects, up to 45.6% of respondents felt excluded from key decisions. This exclusion fuels unsustainable practices and ensures that the economic benefits do not trickle down effectively.

Women and youth, in particular, face significant barriers, including limited access to resources and vulnerability to exploitation and gender-based violence within the sector. Empowering these groups through inclusive business models and peer-to-peer learning is seen as critical for achieving both gender equality and economic sustainability. Initiatives like the World Bank-funded Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project aim to address this by diversifying incomes for coastal households.

Charting a New Course

Experts argue that overcoming these hurdles requires a multi-faceted approach. The government has established legal frameworks like the Kenya Maritime Authority Act and the National Oceans and Fisheries Policy (2020), but effective implementation is lagging. Challenges include insufficient funding, a shortage of skilled labour, and weak enforcement mechanisms.

A national Blue Economy Strategy is currently undergoing final validation, aiming to provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable growth. For this strategy to succeed where others have stalled, analysts emphasize it must strengthen community authority, harmonize the overlapping roles of national and county governments, and create a stable regulatory environment to attract private investment. As one policy brief notes, the blue economy is a real opportunity for Kenya to build wealth while protecting nature, but it requires leveraging strong laws, smart investments, and global cooperation to ride the wave toward its Vision 2030 goals.