Sh400 million needed to repair Lamu’s oldest jetty on verge of collapse

Lamu’s oldest jetty is on the verge of collapse and becoming extinct.

The Lamu Fisheries Jetty situated on Lamu Island is the oldest facility in the archipelago, having existed in the area for over 50 years.

The jetty is, however, structurally unsound with at least Sh400 million needed to carry out comprehensive repair and construction of the decades-old facility.

The fisheries jetty was built by the fisheries department in 1972.

Lamu County Fisheries and Blue Economy Director Kamalu Sharif asked the state to intervene and build the jetty to help boost fishing activities in the area.

Kamalu said the county government does not have the capacity to build such a crucial facility due to the fact that the required budget is high.

He advised the fishermen who are still using the jetty to stop, saying its condition is life-threatening.

“The Fisheries Jetty is the oldest to exist and serve here on Lamu Island. Since time immemorial, it has been used by fishermen and fisheries department officials to carry out their day-to-day activities. It is located in front of the fisheries department offices. The jetty itself is rotten and about to collapse. Those who continue to use it should stop,” Kamalu said.

He added, “Our request to the national government is to help us repair the jetty. It needs between Sh300 million and Sh400 million.”

Lamu County Fisheries and Blue Economy Director Kamalu Sharif. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Continued neglect

Simon Komu, a retired senior fisheries officer in Lamu, cited neglect and lack of attention to the jetty by successive governments as the main reason that led to its current poor state.

According to Komu, years before the devolution system was introduced in the country, funds allocated to maintain the jetty were being provided directly from the National Treasury.

He said since the county governments came to power in 2013, the development of the Fisheries Jetty has completely been forgotten, thus leading to the facility getting damaged.

“I know the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is the one tasked with the repair and maintenance of our jetties. We ask them to deal with the construction of the Fisheries Jetty instead of leaving it in that very sorry state,” said Komu.

Expand fishing

Lamu County Beach Management Units (BMU) Network chairman Mohamed Somo expressed optimism that if the jetty is fully rehabilitated and expanded, it will help expand the fishing industry across Lamu.

“Jetties are key fishing infrastructure. We use those jetties as our fish landing sites. Having structurally unsound facilities like jetties is hindering our daily activities. I believe once jetties like the Fisheries one are reconstructed, it will come along to boost our fishing activities in this place,” said Somo.

On his part, the KPA superintendent in charge of Lamu jetties Abdishukri Osman said his office has not yet received a special request or proposal from the county or Lamu fishermen to have the jetty at Lamu Fisheries offices repaired or even expanded.

Abdishukri said as soon as they receive the request, then they will consider implementing it as one of the ways for KPA to demonstrate and maintain its corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the county.

“We have not received an official request from the county and the fishermen that there is a need for the Fisheries jetty to be repaired, built and expanded. If we receive the request any time soon, we shall act as part of our CSR roles in this place,” said Abdishukri.

Between 2018 and 2024, the state undertook the rehabilitation and expansion of four key jetties in Lamu at a cost of over Sh750 million.

They include the Sh599 million Mokowe Customs Main Jetty, the Sh72 million Mtangawanda Jetty in Lamu East, the Sh48 million Manda Airport Jetty and the Sh35 million Lamu Mangrove Jetty.

Jetties in Lamu play a key role since they are the only entry and exit points into and out of Lamu town and other adjacent islands. Lamu residents largely rely on sea transport for movement.

The jetties are, therefore, a crucial element since they aid in the movement of passengers and cargo.