"SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR HASSAN ALI JOHO, READ AT THE 2018 MOMBASA INTERNATIONAL SHOW

Do you have a lead on a newsworthy story? Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa!

The Cabinet Secretary, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Irrigation Hon Mwangi Kiunjuri

The Principal Secretaries present,

The National Chair ASK Ms Annabel Kiriinya,

The ASK Mombasa Branch, Ms Anisa Abdallah,

Distinguished Guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the organizers of this year’s Mombasa ASK show for the excellent work they have done.

Your dedication to excellence is testimony that we too can reach the highest standards in every field. 

The quality of the displays reflects the serious efforts of the various actors. In the same vain, I would like to congratulate all the participants for keeping to very high standards.

As we showcase our best products and innovations in Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and 

Trade, we should be on the look out for not just the new ways of doing things but also those innovations that easily propel our people to the next level. These are the innovations that enhance production and create sustainable livelihoods which is a key pillar of our vision for the County.

After decades of looking at land as the chief resource we are now looking seawards into the Blue Economy which is poised to be a key driver of the growth of the future. 

For many years our fisherfolk have relied on artisanal fishing methods restricting them to a few thousand metres off the shore. We now want to empower them to venture further and deeper into the high seas.

 Working with the Kenya commercial Bank Foundation, we have been able to procure a modern fishing vessel for use by Beach Management Units. 

We have been able to train and equip the BMUs to harvest more and manage their catches better. Our women fisherfolk have not been left out. They too are empowered through the County Revolving Fund to improve their fishing related businesses.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Mombasa County Government negotiated on behalf of the fisherfolk affected by the construction of the SGR Railway. A package of 980 million shillings to be distributed in cash and in kind is awaiting disbursement.

 A sum of 212 million will be disbursed in cash while the rest will be issued as support through construction of storage facilities, boats, training and equipment. Beside this support, the Mombasa County Government aims at procuring 28 modern fishing boats for 14 BMUs in the County.

Agriculture and animal husbandry have not been left behind with the Agriculture and Livestock Department working to improve both quality and yields through better farming and livestock production practices. 

It is a major plus to the Department that through an intensive vaccination program, we have not been affected by any major disease outbreak and the 2018 Mombasa Show can proceed unhindered. We are working with farmers to improve their methods and breeds. 

We are encouraging them to diversify into new frontiers like the dairy goat or rabbits and multi-storey gardens.

 All these efforts are geared towards enhancing food security in an urban environment where space is a premium.

We are encouraging our youth and farmers to organise in cooperatives to promote self-employment and protect those at risk of drugs, crime and violent extremism. 

Through the mainstreaming of our social protection strategy together with partners like UNICEF, we want to ensure that anticipated growth is inclusive. 

We want to make sure no one is left behind Our Mombasa Vision 2035 envisages sustainable livelihoods as key to growth. We urge our partners to work with us to help our people confront the vagaries of climate change or even the changes in our economy that have negative impacts on some sectors. 

For example; job losses in the freight and transport sector due to new developments like the SGR. It is my hope that certain aspects of the Show can evolve into say, model farms to be used for training all year long.

 I urge the AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF KENYA to consider this model going forward.

Let us all join hands and be true to the theme of this year’s show of Promoting Innovation and Technology in Agriculture and Trade.

It’s now my pleasure to welcome the Cabinet Secretary, Hon Mwangi Kiunjuri to come and make his official remarks…..

Thank you"

The speech was read by his Deputy Dr William Kingi, after Joho failed to attend the event.