Lamu Fishermen Compensation Taskforce on Monday, April 3, approved a list of 3,500 fishermen and women to be paid Ksh502,000 each in compensation by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
KPA accepted to pay the fishermen money to the tune of Ksh1.76 billion after the High Court determined that the construction of the Lamu Port launched by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta affected their livelihoods.
The initial list of 4,734 was revised downwards after a verification exercise by the Beach Verification Units, National Administration Officers, and county officials.
"Not every fisherman in Lamu will benefit from the scheme. Only those who had licenses by October 2016 when the construction of the port began will be compensated," a member of the task force stated.
However, farmers will only receive 65 per cent of the money in their accounts. The rest will be channeled toward the creation of sustainable fishing practices.
"The 35 per cent will be used to buy cool boxes, freezers, fishing engines, build new boats, establish a loan scheme, and facilitate the training of fishermen and women to fish in deep waters," the official added.
KPA Principal Legal Officer Stephen Kyandih met with the fishermen and women between March 23 and 29. He assured that only those affected would be paid.
“As a clerk, it is your responsibility to always ensure that you have the validated list of the fishermen and the agreements for the area you have been allocated,” Kyandih noted.
He further noted that deliberate efforts would be made to ensure each individual fisherfolk is physically reached to append their signature on the agreement during the exercise.
In their case filed in court, the fishermen and women argued that the port and other projects under the Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Project robbed them of their fishing grounds.
Uhuru officially opened the Lamu Port for business in May 2021, unveiling the first berth. Two other births have since been completed.
The former Head of State called on the local county government to be proactive in looking for investors in the project.
