This archive report was first published on 9 May 2021.
More than 80% of the community in Lamu depend on fishing for their livelihood, but the construction of the Lamu Port has brought untold suffering to the residents.
The project, which began in 2012, includes dredging and reclamation, and has resulted in the destruction of mangrove forests, coral reefs, and critical fishery resources, affecting over 4,700 boat operators and the local fishing community.
The High Court had declared that the planning and construction of the Lamu Port violated the rights of Lamu residents in a judgment delivered on April 30, 2018.
However, Kenya Ports Authority filed an appeal and got a stay of execution order against the High Court judgment, leaving the matter stuck at the Court of Appeal for three years.
The construction of the first three berths is ongoing at Manda Bay, with the third berth nearing completion and ready for launch in June 2021.
The Lamu Port will have 32 berths costing $5 billion (Sh530 billion), but the negative environmental impacts and lack of enforcement by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) have hurt fishermen, apart from Covid-19 prevention measures.
The compensation to fishermen is welcome, but one hopes other host communities of infrastructure projects will be spared the agony suffered by Lamu locals.
