Kisumu Polytechnic Secures KSh500M Grant for Blue Economy Project

Kenya, April 15, 2026 - Kisumu National Polytechnic has secured a KSh500 million grant to support a major shift toward blue economy skills and enterprise development.

The funding, to be disbursed over 30 months, will finance the Blue Skills for Transformation and Employment Project (B-STEP).

The initiative is designed to reposition the institution as a regional centre for blue economy training, innovation, and enterprise.

During an evaluation visit, Technical and Vocational Education Principal Secretary Esther Muoria described the project as central to Kenya’s economic transformation agenda.

The programme is expected to generate more than 2,000 jobs across sectors such as aquaculture, environmental management, and value addition.

At the core of the project is the construction of a Blue Skills Training and Enterprise Centre.

The facility will integrate training, production, and business incubation, marking a shift from classroom-based learning to a more practical, industry-driven model.

It will include aquaculture units, engineering workshops, and enterprise hubs.

The government has backed the initiative as part of its broader push to develop the blue economy.

Officials say training institutions must adapt to emerging sectors as blue and green economies become key drivers of growth.

Kisumu’s location near Lake Victoria positions it as a strategic hub for this transition.

At the same time, the government has emphasised the need for sustainability.