New concrete ladder brings safety, efficiency in boat docking in Lamu’s Shanga village
While the structure has only just been launched, it is already being hailed as a long-overdue solution, one that may finally bring relief to hundreds of fishing families in Shanga.
For decades, fishermen in Shanga village, Faza Ward in Lamu County, have risked injury and endured delays while docking and loading their boats along slippery, eroded shores, especially during low tides.
With no stable access point, many struggled daily to earn a living from the sea.
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But hope has arrived in the form of a newly launched marine infrastructure (concrete ladder), constructed by the Lamu County Department of Infrastructure and Public Works, now standing as a vital docking solution for the fishing community.
“It used to be a nightmare. When the tide was low, we had to jump off the boats onto sharp rocks. Many of us have scars from those falls,” said Ali Abubakar, 41, who has fished in Shanga since his teenage years.
The new infrastructure will change that, making it easier for fishermen to dock and load their boats safely, regardless of tide levels.
Ahmed Lali recalls how he once slipped and dislocated his shoulder while trying to offload fish at dawn.
“We spent so much on hospital bills. Now, with this ladder, I believe such incidents will be reduced,” Ahmed says.
Solar-powered light
The project, which also includes the installation of a solar-powered light, was officially commissioned this week by Lamu Public Works CECM Tashrifa Bakari, who said it reflects the county’s commitment to improving marine infrastructure and supporting local livelihoods.
“This is the kind of progress we have been asking for. Even loading fuel and ice boxes was a struggle before. You needed at least three people just to keep things steady,” said Hassan Omar, a 26-year-old fisherman
Mohamed Mzee, a local fish vendor, believes the development will improve the supply chain.
“Sometimes the fish would arrive late because of docking issues, and by the time I got them to the market, they weren’t fresh. This will help us keep the quality,” he said.
Others echoed the same optimism, especially about safety.
“My biggest worry was sending my teenage sons to sea. Now I feel more confident. It is still risky work, but at least the landing part is safer,” said Ahmed Bwana, a father of three.
CECM Tashrifa noted that the solar light installed at the site will allow for safer night and early morning operations.
“We want to extend fishing hours and improve security for both people and property.”
The ladder is part of a wider effort to improve marine access points in Lamu County.
While the structure has only just been launched, it is already being hailed as a long-overdue solution, one that may finally bring relief to hundreds of fishing families in Shanga.
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