The county government of Lamu has initiated processes of repossessing all grabbed fish landing sites and securing them through the issuance of title deeds.
Lamu Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud, who doubles as the County Executive for Fisheries and Agriculture told nation.africa that the county administration in coordination with the lands ministry has already completed survey of all the concerned fish landing sites in the region that are intended to be issued with the title deeds.
All the fish landing sites in the county however lack title deeds, a move that puts them at risk of grabbing by private developers.
Mr Aboud said they wrote to the taskforce appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to deal with fish landing sites related issues.
“The taskforce visited Lamu last month. Together, we surveyed all the landing sites and a report is already with the land PS Nicholas Muraguri. We expect before the end of the year, all the fish landing sites in Lamu will have title deeds,” said Mr Aboud.
He said securing and ensuring well-defined fish landing sites was the only sure way to have the fishing sector in Lamu expanded.
Mr Aboud reiterated that the county had allocated enough resources towards the improvement of the fish landing sites, including construction of cooler shades that will be used by fishermen going about their activities.
“We have begun constructing fishermen shades in Kui, Kiwayu, Mtangawanda, Ndununi, Kipungani and Kizuke. We have also constructed a boat yard for fishermen at Kizingitini. The Covid-19 pandemic has slowed us down but we are trying,” said Mr Aboud.
Lamu County Fisheries Officer, Simon Komu said they were also working towards attaining both local and international markets for fish.
Mr Komu said the department was undertaking serious online advertisement in order to link up the local fishermen to international markets.
“We want to have an established market for fish. We want to also improve the Lamu fish export business. We have embarked on empowering and encouraging our fishermen to undertake entrepreneurial fishing so that the sector attains international recognition and generally grows the economies,” said Mr Komu.
