Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-38).

Introduction -- Marine sector performance -- Literature review -- Methodological approach -- Results and discussion -- Conclusion and policy recommendations.

"The Blue Economy is one of the critical economies for economic transformation in the country. This paper assesses the status of implementation of the Blue Economy initiatives in the MTP III 2018-2022 and the 2018 Sustainable Blue Economy conference commitments for marine fisheries in Kenya using the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) framework. The programmes in the MTP III and 2018 Blue Economy conference form the nine pillars of analysis including: Pillar 1-Development of Blue Economy; Pillar 2-Fisheries Infrastructure Development and Exploitation of Living Resources under Blue Economy; Pillar 3-Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development; Pillar 4-Aquaculture Business Development Programme; Pillar 5-Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-economic Development (KEMFSED) Programme; Pillar 6-Aquaculture Technology Development and Innovation Transfer Programme; Pillar 7-Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Programme; Pillar 8-Development of a Fish Quality Laboratory; Pillar 9-Cooperation and Implementation of Regional and International Frameworks and Standards Programme, and Policy, Legal and Institutional Reforms. The key findings from each of the pillars were as follows: On Pillar 1, there is inadequate capacity building for Beach Management Units (BMUs) and fishermen both at national and county level, various document to guide the Blue Economy, such as master plan, and Blue book have not been developed. Under Pillar 2, there is inadequate monitoring and assessment systems to prevent projects from moving too quickly in reporting and execution. Under Pillar 3, there is insufficient supply of ice for fishermen to preserve fish during fishing and in transportation. Handling of fish is also poor. Under Pillar 4, most of the industrial fishing and aquaculture in Kenya is not accented for in the GDP. Under Pillar 5, a functional fisheries information system is yet to be developed. Under Pillar 6, aquaculture technology and development and innovation transfer programmes have been developed to support diversification of aquaculture species. Pillar 7 monitoring surveys include Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana and marine waters. Pillar 8 covered development of fish quality programmes. Finally, under Pillar 9, most of fishery management regulation plans and policies are in place, though they have not been reviewed. The key recommendation for each pillar is as follows. In Pillar 1, there is need to build capacity for fish farmers to enhance their capacity and skills. This includes planned training sessions and field outreach to address farmer requirements to promote growth and the overall development of aquaculture in the area. Under Pillar 2 and 3, there is need to strengthen monitoring and assessment system to ensure timely execution and reporting of projects. Pillar 4 requires establishment of reefer cool containers and flake ice cold chains at landing sites to reduce post-harvest losses. Pillar 5 indicates the need to increase fish production through targeted investment in fishing fleet and advance actualization of Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) programme. Pillar 6 and 7 identifies the need to establish a Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) strategy to enhance enforcement towards eradicating the use of restricted fishing gears (beach seines, spearguns and monofilament gillnets). Under Pillar 8 and 9, there is need to support water quality, water harvesting, fish quality laboratories and sustain rehabilitation of fish landing sites in Lake Victoria and implement all the various regulatory frameworks.