As Kenya prepares to mark its 62nd Madaraka Day, fisherfolk and woodcraft artisans in Homa Bay are calling on national leaders to go beyond ceremonial speeches and invest meaningfully in the blue economy including sustainable wood-based innovation that supports the livelihoods of lakeside communities.
For decades, fishing communities around Lake Victoria have relied on wooden boats, paddles, drying racks, and storage sheds built from locally sourced timber. While these traditional tools remain vital, community leaders say that innovation and better management of wood resources could transform both the fishing and woodcraft sectors.
Tom Guda, National Chairman of the Beach Management Unit (BMU) Network said, we call upon leaders to go beyond symbolic participation and invest in unlocking the immense potential within the blue economy and that includes investing in sustainable wood processing and modern boat-building technologies.
Guda noted that while most boats are still made of wood, the time has come to embrace hybrid models using both wood and fibreglass, supported by local carpenters and small-scale boatyards. Even as we celebrate Madaraka Day, our people are still making boats from timber cut from local forests. We can modernise this craft build longer-lasting vessels using treated wood or composite materials. Innovation must be part of the conversation, he added. Experts argue that supporting community wood enterprises could also ease pressure on natural forests by promoting sustainable timber production and the use of certified wood in boat making and lakeside infrastructure.
Wood artisans around Homa Bay have long contributed to the local blue economy from crafting boats and fishing gear to building docks and storage facilities. Homa Bay is growing national importance as a hub for aquatic and wood-based industries. This year Kenya amplify the link between water, wood, and wealth – promoting the blue economy as a cornerstone of sustainable development rooted in both natural and renewable resources.