The hatchery is also expected to support sustainable fish farming by reducing pressure on wild fish populations, enable faster production cycles and lower costs for farmers, leading to increased profits and enhance the availability of fresh, locally grown fish to meet local demand
The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art fish hatchery at its Kibos fish farm, aimed at transforming aquaculture in Kenya. The new facility is set to produce between 4 million and 7 million fingerlings annually, addressing the critical shortage that has long hindered fish farming in the region.
LBDA Managing Director Wycliffe Ochiaga highlighted the growing demand for fingerlings, which are essential for the thriving aquaculture sector. “The establishment of this modern hatchery plant will ensure farmers have access to quality fingerlings, enabling them to meet the rising domestic demand for fish while promoting sustainable aquaculture,” Ochiaga explained.
The facility will also contribute to restocking key water bodies like Lake Victoria and Lake Kanyaboli, providing fingerlings bred for local conditions, which are more resilient to diseases and environmental challenges.
To modernize the sector, the hatchery will deploy advanced fish fingerling production technology, including a groundbreaking fingerling counting machine. “This machine will bring transparency and fairness to the sector, ensuring farmers know the exact quantity of fingerlings they purchase, while preventing overcrowding in fish ponds and cages,” said Ochiaga.
The initiative targets training 5,000 fish farmers annually in best practices, covering feeding techniques, water quality management, and fish health. By equipping farmers with these skills, LBDA aims to improve production rates, enhance food security, and reduce reliance on imported fish.
The hatchery is also expected to support sustainable fish farming by reducing pressure on wild fish populations, enable faster production cycles and lower costs for farmers, leading to increased profits and enhance the availability of fresh, locally grown fish to meet local demand.
Speaking at the National Fisheries Day celebration in Lwanda Kotieno, Siaya County, Ochiaga reiterated LBDA’s commitment to economic empowerment through fisheries. The event, themed “Collaborative Governance for Blue Transformation and Sustainable Investments in Fisheries,” emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving growth and sustainability in the sector.
This bold step by LBDA underscores the authority’s dedication to scaling up fish production, restocking local lakes, and creating a thriving aquaculture ecosystem that benefits farmers, consumers, and the environment.
