Unpacking the feasibility of upgrading strategies in Kenya’s emerging aquaculture sector claims vs. realities

This study seeks to illuminate the feasibility of upgrading pathways in Kenya’s aquaculture sector, with a specific focus on fish cages situated on Lake Victoria. Possibilities for businesses, fish farmers, farm workers, fish traders are examined. This is explored through borrowing concepts from social enterprise and class-based Marxist agrarian political economy. Previous research has indicated there is a weak link between business expansion (economic upgrading) and beneficial outcomes for workers (social upgrading). The broad strokes for what is needed for a commercially viable aquaculture enterprise are defined, followed by the impact various business models can have on the value chain. Constraints of fish farmers are further elucidated through mapping of value chains. Particular attention is paid to risk and uncertainty. My argument is that the feasibility for social upgrading in aquaculture depends on the positioning of the actor, and that this is magnified by social differentiation