FINALLY A RAY OF HOPE IS SEEN

“We waited for over 5 years since the LAPSSET judgement, 45 days will not make us lose hope,” said Lamu BMU network chairman Somo Mohamed Somo during the official launch of the fishermen’s compensation which took place at the Lamu County Commissioners premises in Mokowe.

Finally, there is a ray of hope after a lot of patience and perseverance, seen and felt in the hearts and utterances of Lamu fishermen, the countless days, months, and years of waiting, the back-and-forth discussions with Save Lamu’s Lawyers from Katiba Institute, and Lawyers representing Kenya Ports Authority, LAPSSET, County Government, etc

In May 2021 the former president, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta commissioned the operationalization of the new Lamu port, after the construction of the first three berths, two days after the commissioning of the port, Lamu fishermen led by Save Lamu took it to the grounds to demonstrate against the LAPSSET to demand their Kshs. 1.76bn Compensations outside the KPA office in Amu town.

In May 2022, Lawyers from Katiba Institute representing Save Lamu and the community, Kenya Ports Authority, the County Government, National Environmental Management Authority lawyers, and representatives from the attorney general’s office gathered at Mwanarafa hall in Lamu to discuss the way forward on fishermen compensation.

Chairman KPA| Benjamin Tayari

Today the 22nd of March 2023, Benjamin Tayari, Kenya Ports Authority chairperson officially launched the signing of agreement forms at the Lamu County Commissioners office. “Allow me to thank the Save Lamu organization for their ardent and concerted efforts to progressively drive the process to this stage” said Mr. Tayari during his speech, he however added by thanking the leadership of the Beach management Units (BMU), the involved National Government Agencies, the County Government of Lamu that played a key role in validation of the beneficiary fishers list and requisite legal document.

Story| Khadija Juma/Save Lamu