OPINION | Deep sea fishing: Kenya’s forgotten maritime dream

A fisherman holding a fish. PHOTO/UNSPLASH

By ANDREW MWANGURA

newshub@eyewitness.africa

In the golden era of post-independence Kenya, a bold maritime vision emerged from the waters of the Indian Ocean. The story of vessels FV Ujuzi, FV Uchumi, and FV Ufunguo represents more than just ships—they symbolize a nation’s aspirational leap into industrial fishing and maritime sovereignty.

Established in the 1960s, the Kenya Fisheries Industry was a testament to the young nation’s ambition. The Liwatoni fisheries complex stood as a cornerstone of this vision, employing 4,000 workers—predominantly women—who became the backbone of Kenya’s maritime industrial sector. These were not just jobs, but opportunities for economic empowerment, particularly for women who found meaningful employment in this emerging industry.

The three vessels—FV Ujuzi, FV Uchumi, and FV Ufunguo—were more than wooden and steel constructs; they were floating embodiments of Kenya’s maritime potential, each manned entirely by Kenyan officers and ratings—a remarkable achievement for a nation barely a decade into its independence.

The journey of these vessels began with an innovative partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). A select group of Kenyan marine deck officers, engineers, and fishworkers were flown to Japan, receiving comprehensive training that would equip them to not just operate, but master these industrial fishing vessels. The Liwatoni fisheries training center in Mombasa became the crucible where maritime expertise was forged, preparing a generation of Kenyan seafarers.

However, the industry’s promising trajectory was brutally interrupted by a perfect storm of challenges. Internal mismanagement plagued the Kenya Fisheries Industry, creating inefficiencies that undermined its potential. But the most devastating blow came from foreign industrial fishing operations—a predatory ecosystem of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing vessels from powerful maritime nations.

Distant water fishing fleets from South Korea, China, Russia, and European countries descended upon Kenya’s rich marine territories. These vessels, equipped with advanced technologies and backed by massive industrial capabilities, systematically undermined local fishing efforts. They swept through Kenya’s maritime economic zone, exploiting resources with little regard for sustainable fishing practices or local economic interests.

The result was devastating. What was once a promising national industry collapsed in the early 1980s, leaving behind only memories of potential and dreams of maritime sovereignty. The 4,000 workers at Liwatoni, mostly women who had found economic independence, were suddenly without their livelihood. These vessels—FV Ujuzi (Skill), FV Uchumi (Economy), and FV Ufunguo (Key)—became tragic symbols of an economic vision crushed by international industrial might and internal mismanagement.

Today, these vessels serve as more than historical artifacts. They are a testament to the ambition of a young nation, a reminder of what could have been. They challenge us to reflect on industrial policy, maritime sovereignty, and the unequal global economic structures that continue to challenge developing nations.

The story of Kenya’s deep-sea fishing industry is not just about economic failure. It’s about resilience in the face of overwhelming international competition. It’s about the dreams of thousands of workers, particularly women, who saw in these vessels and this industry a path to economic empowerment and national pride.

As Kenya continues to develop its maritime potential, the legacy of FV Ujuzi, FV Uchumi, and FV Ufunguo should not be forgotten. They represent a crucial chapter in the nation’s economic history—a chapter of hope, skill, and the ongoing struggle for economic self-determination.

The writer is a veteran merchant mariner.