The Project for the Construction of Agriculture and Fishery Processing Factory for the Community Empowerment within the Marenga fishing village
The Government of Japan has been providing funds to local non-profit organizations through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) since 1989.
The Ground Breaking Ceremony of a GGP project “The Project for the Construction of Agriculture and Fishery Processing Factory for the Community Empowerment within the Marenga fishing village” was held in Budalangi, Bunyala, Busia County on 11th March, 2016.
The Grant Contract of this project had previously been signed at the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi on 26th of January, 2016 by H.E. Tatsushi Terada, the Ambassador of Japan to Kenya and the grantee organization, Bunyala Industrial Park Self Help Group. The signing ceremony had been witnessed by among others, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, Member of Parliament, Budalangi Constituency in Busia County.
The project received a grant of US$ 81,629 (approx. Kshs 8.0 Million) for the construction of a Processing Factory and installation of a processing machine for the Omena fish. A packaging machine will also be installed to enable transportation of the Omena and Rice to the market. This project aims to empower the community within the Marenga fishing village in Budalangi Constituency, Busia County.
Mr. Mikio Mori, The Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, congratulated Bunyala Industrial Park Self Help Group Oasis Group for initiating the project.
He mentioned the strong ties of friendship between Japan and Kenya stating that Kenya is the largest recipient of Japan's ODA in the Sub-Saharan Africa. One of the ODA projects, “The Lake Victoria Comprehensive Ecosystem and Aquatic Environment Research for Development Project” which was funded by the Government of Japan is currently ongoing in the area. It is a collaborative project which involves Maseno University, Nagasaki University and the governments of Kenya and Japan.
Mr. Mori explained that the Japanese people love eating fish from sea and rice with almost every meal in their food culture. He hoped that the similarities of the food culture with that of the project beneficiaries would create the first step towards entrepreneurial opportunities through exchange of ideas between the two countries. He also stated that Japan had a long history of technology and experience in fisheries and could contribute to the development of the Kenyan fisheries sector.
Mr. Mori informed the gathering that the next Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), the first TICAD ever held in Africa and out of Japan, would be in Kenya later in the year, on 27th and 28th August. Not only would the TICAD have historical significance, it would also further strengthen ties between Japan and Africa.