Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site to Feature Cold Storage and 50-Metre Floating Jetty

The Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site in Kilifi County is being developed as a modern fisheries hub. A statement posted this week by Dr Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, sets out the main infrastructure elements planned for the facility.

Cold storage infrastructure will sit at the centre of the design. Once fish is landed, quick transfer into chilled rooms slows spoilage in the warm coastal conditions. An ice flake machine will operate alongside to supply ice for packing and short-term holding before fish moves onward.

High-capacity fish handling areas will provide space for sorting and preparation. A structured market space will give fishers and traders a dedicated area for sales. Supporting administrative offices and sanitation facilities will complete the operational buildings on site.

A 50-metre floating jetty will allow boats to dock. The structure rises and falls with water levels in the tidal creek, giving more reliable access than fixed piers in the same location. Workers can load and unload catches without large height differences between boat and platform.

Power will come from a solar-powered energy system. The installation will run cold rooms, ice production and lighting with reduced reliance on grid supply. This arrangement supports steadier operations when external power fluctuates.

The upgrades target post-harvest losses that currently reduce earnings for many small-scale fishers. Better immediate cooling and organised handling mean more of each catch reaches buyers in usable condition. Quality management improves at the same time.

Local fisheries value chains should strengthen once the site is running. A central point with proper facilities can improve links between fishers, transporters and buyers operating along this part of the coast. Economic activity in surrounding communities stands to benefit from the more efficient flow of fish.

Construction work has already created employment for residents in the area. The project also provides internship positions for people training in construction, engineering and project management. Interns work directly on an active site and gain practical exposure to coordination, materials and sequencing.

The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration has supported implementation through coordination and by helping maintain a secure working environment. Officials have indicated this involvement will continue after completion to help protect the new infrastructure and support maritime security linked to Blue Economy activities.

Photographs released with the update show visible progress. One image shows the interior of a large hall fitted with long concrete tables and floor drainage channels, consistent with the high-capacity fish handling and market functions described. Aerial views reveal clusters of buildings set along the shoreline with paved working areas close to the water.

The combination of cold storage, ice production, a floating jetty and solar power brings several practical improvements together in one location. For fishing communities in Kilifi County, the completed facility should offer more reliable handling, lower waste and better access to markets from a single organised site.