KPA accused of destroying fishing areas, forcing Old Town fishermen into disputed waters

Fisherfolk from Old Town have urged the Mombasa County Assembly to step in after dredging by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) allegedly destroyed vital fishing grounds, forcing them to abandon their traditional waters.

Through their Beach Management Unit (BMU), the fishers accused a KPA dredger of dumping sand, silt, clay, gravel, and seabed debris onto their fishing areas, drastically reducing fish stocks.

Following this, many have been pushed to fish in Tiwi, Shimoni, and Mtwapa waters controlled by other BMUs, where restrictions are enforced by the Kenya Coast Guard.

“We have been left with no choice but to move to other fishing areas, yet we face harassment because those places are not under our jurisdiction,” said BMU Chairperson Salim Amin Salim.

“The dredging has destroyed our fishing grounds, and our livelihoods are at stake.”

The fisherfolk, led by Salim, met with County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri, Old Town MCA Abdirahman Hussein, and former CECM for Blue Economy, Cooperatives, Agriculture, and Livestock, Kibibi Abdallah, to press for urgent solutions.

The fisherfolk also voiced anger over the lack of benefits from the Sh10 billion allocation set aside for the five coastal counties bordering the Indian Ocean, including Sh2 billion earmarked for Mombasa under the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project.

“Before dredging started, we were promised compensation, but it has never come. We thought KEMFSED would help us buy modern boats to fish in deeper waters, but two years later, nothing has been disbursed,” said BMU Vice Chair Anwar Mohammed

Responding to the concerns, Kibibi said, “The KEMFSED funds for Mombasa have not been spent yet. This is a revolving fund, meaning it has to be repaid once accessed, and disbursement will only happen after BMUs complete training from the Blue Economy department.”

Speaker Khatri assured the fisherfolk that the Assembly would investigate the matter thoroughly.

“We will audit the use of KEMFSED funds and ensure the grievances raised are addressed. The ocean is a lifeline for our people, and we will engage the Cabinet Secretary for Blue Economy and Mining to ensure accountability,” he said.

Old Town MCA Abdirahman Hussein praised the BMUs for their unity and approach. “You have followed the right channels to seek redress, and that strengthens your case. We must protect your rights and livelihoods,” he said.

The fisherfolk warned that without swift intervention, their fishing heritage could be permanently lost.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• Coast
• Kenya Ports Authority
• Mombasa County
• KPA
• Fishing
• Fisherfolk
• Old Town
• fishing grounds
• KPA accused of destroying fishing areas
• forcing Old Town fishermen into disputed waters