The government is banking on Kenyans in the Diaspora to help fast track investment in the blue economy.
Maritime and Shipping Affairs principal Secretary Nancy Karigithu says the blue economy industry is capital intensive that those in the Diaspora can invest in which coupled with their technical know-how hasten the process.
The blue economy contributes about 85 percent to the US economy.
The situation is very different in Kenya, with the country barely scratching the surface in terms in investments and tapping the industry.
Maritime and Shipping Affairs principal Secretary Nancy Karigithu is urging Kenyans working or living in the Diaspora to tap the industry.
Apart from investments, the PS believes Kenyans in the Diaspora have knowledge and skills that could help Kenya fast track harnessing the blue economy.
She also believes that Kenyans can learn from the social remittance of those living outside the borders especially in fighting vices such as corruption.
The government officials believe with the help of those in the Diaspora, Kenya could create decent jobs to employ those looking for work as well as grow the economy.
Last month, Kenya hosted the first ever blue economy conference in Nairobi.
During the conference, President Kenyatta underscored the importance of harnessing the blue economy resources in a responsible manner, adding that some of the actions agreed upon at the conference included putting in place solid environmental standards, strengthening programmes to support poorer countries manage and recover from climate related catastrophes and ensuring more effective control of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing.
