Over 3,000 Fishermen to Benefit from Lamu Fish Landing Project

By Mbungu Harrison

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The fish landing site project in Mokowe and neighbouring Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Lamu is now 63.7 per cent complete and is set to directly benefit approximately 3,000 fishermen.

Blue Economy principal secretary Betsy Njagi said the project will reach more than 15,000 beneficiaries across the surrounding communities.

PS Njagi said for years Lamu’s fish industry has faced challenges including limited access to reliable markets, inadequate fish handling and storage facilities, high post-harvest losses, poor market linkages and limited opportunities for value addition.

She said these challenges have reduced the incomes fishermen earn from their catch and constrained the growth of the wider fisheries value chain.

“Once completed, the project will help transform this reality by providing better fish handling and marketing infrastructure, reducing post-harvest losses, improving the quality and value of fish reaching consumers and connecting fishermen to more reliable markets.”

The PS said the investment would also contribute to increased household incomes, employment creation, and stronger local fisheries value chains, ensuring that more value from Lamu’s rich marine resources remains within the fishing communities.

The project is being implemented by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries under the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs headed by Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho.