Lamu Port fishermen issue fresh demands during second phase of compensation

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will use at least Sh600 million for the purchase of fishing gear among other empowerment programmes meant to boost the fishing sector in Lamu County.

The sector was adversely affected by the establishment of the Sh310 billion Lamu Port at Kililana, Lamu West.

The cash represents 35 per cent of the Sh1.76 billion compensation package that Lamu fishermen were awarded by the Malindi High Court in May 2018 following a successful petition against KPA owing to the adverse effects brought about by the dredging activities for construction of the Lamu Port's first three berths at Kililana site.

The fishermen had argued that they would no longer be able to carry on with their venture due to dredging activities.

They said their livelihoods would eternally suffer and, as such, deserved compensation to enable them to pursue alternative livelihoods.

The first phase of compensation of the Lamu Port affected fishers which purely incorporated monetary payments was carried out in June this year.

In the first phase, each individual fisherman received Sh241,700. Over 4,000 fishermen have so far been paid.

“We are concluding the first phase that involves cash payments. We have plans to continue with the process in the second phase very soon,” said a KPA official who requested to remain anonymous as he is not authorised to speak to the press.

“It is not just the purchase of fishing gear. Many other empowerment programmes will be undertaken in this particular phase as per what will be discussed and agreed upon by the fishers themselves, the county government of Lamu and KPA.”

New demands

However, the Lamu Port Affected Fishermen have now come out to issue new demands to be effected in the second phase involving compensation in kind.

Lamu Port Affected Fishermen Spokesperson Mohamed Somo. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

The fishermen told KPA to ignore any development plans included in the second phase of compensation as such issues are already taken care of by the devolved government.

Among the issues, the fishers demand to be left out is the plan to build cold storage facilities for them.

Instead, they want the cash to be directed into establishing loan schemes for the local fishers, buying outboard engines for deep sea fishing as well as capacity building on offshore fishing.

The fishers were speaking while flanked by the Save Lamu activists who have for years been at the forefront in helping the fishers petition the state over the Lamu Port establishment.

Lamu County Fisheries Board Chair, Fuad Sheyumbe insists doing infrastructure development using the compensation cash will be similar to duplicating duties already undertaken by the county government of Lamu.

“We don’t want the Sh600 million to be used for fishing sector development as the county government is already taking care of that bit. We are proposing to KPA that they use the money to introduce fishermen loan scheme programmes, purchase outboard engines, carry out capacity building, including offering special training to our local fishers on offshore fishing among other crucial issues,” said Sheyumbe.

Lamu Port Affected Fishermen Spokesperson, Mohamed Somo called on KPA to fast-track the second phase of compensation, noting that enough time has already elapsed.

He, however, thanked the KPA for ensuring the first phase, which involves monetary compensation, is carried out transparently.

“We have very few fishermen who are yet to receive their money in the first phase and we are confident the KPA will do due diligence to ensure justice for our colleagues. We also want the second phase to commence soonest to enable us to give Lamu Port our blessings,” said Somo.

Lamu Island Beach Management Units (BMU) Chair Abubakar Twalib also called on the need for KPA to ensure all interests accrued in the Sh1.76 billion compensation package before it was released is added to the Sh600 million intended to compensate the Lamu fishers in kind.

“The compensation package was released a long time ago and it was being kept by KPA. We know there’s interest that accrued in that period before the cash was released recently. We want to see the interests accrued added to boost the 35 per cent compensation package meant for the second phase,” said Twalib.