Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o on Thursday, December 5, officially commissioned the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (eMEL) system for the Blue Economy Multi-Agency Action Plan at the Acacia Premier Hotel in Kisumu. The initiative is set to revolutionize the sustainable utilization of blue economy resources across the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB).
Speaking during the launch, Governor Nyong’o underscored the transformative potential of the eMEL system, describing it as a strategic milestone for leveraging the Lake Region’s untapped opportunities.
“This system will catalyze innovative blue economy projects, helping the 14 LREB counties optimize resource allocation, attract investments, and make data-driven decisions for sustainable development,” he said.
The eMEL system, developed through a collaboration between the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), The Act, and the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), aims to strengthen collaboration among counties, national agencies, universities, and private sector stakeholders.
The governor emphasized the pivotal role of the blue economy in creating jobs, reducing poverty, conserving the environment, and enhancing resilience to climate change. He noted that the system’s outputs would address critical issues like irregular disbursements of funds to counties and improve the engagement framework with donors and development partners.
“Through this system, we are making strides toward reshaping the relationship with our partners, moving from a master-servant dynamic to one of collaboration and shared responsibility,” Governor Nyong’o said.
The eMEL system was first introduced in February 2024 during the Homa Bay International Investment Conference. Since then, significant progress has been made in customizing the platform, migrating data, and training users.
Key stakeholders in the initiative include the Kenya Devolution Program, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, and the LREB Secretariat, which will co-host the system to ensure effective coordination across the bloc.
Governor Nyong’o urged participants to identify actionable pathways for harnessing the blue economy’s potential to drive economic growth, environmental conservation, and climate resilience.
“I am confident that today’s deliberations will offer concrete solutions for sustainable development and pave the way for a brighter future for the Lake Region,” he concluded.
This initiative is a major step forward as the LREB continues to position itself as a hub for investment and innovation in Kenya’s blue economy.
