This archive report was first published on 10 September 2019.
On September 10, 2019, a group of over 3,000 fishermen from four Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Mombasa County's Tsunza village gathered to demand a share of the compensation package for the Sh24 billion Dongo Kundu bypass project.
The fishermen, who rely on the Mwache and Mteza creeks of the Indian Ocean for their catch, claimed that the project will displace them from their only source of income and that they should be compensated.
According to William Chaka, chairperson of Tsunza Central BMU, the government through its agencies should ensure that fishermen are included in all stages of the compensation package.
"We are not opposed to the project that will open up the village and spur economic growth but we want to be compensated for this massive project which will alter the lives of locals," Chaka said, adding that fish breeding zones will be affected as mangroves will be brought down to pave for the construction of the road.
Chaka warned that once the project starts, the traditional fishing waters at Mwache and Mteza creek will be closed, displacing a significant number of fishermen. "We will put up a spirited fight to ensure we are compensated for the looming loss of our livelihoods," he said.
Guya BMU vice chairperson Mbaruk Baushi also expressed concerns, stating that apart from monetary compensation, they want the government to provide all the affected fishermen with the necessary skills and equipment to conduct fishing in the deep sea.
"It will be difficult to venture into fishing in the deep seas with simple fishing gears we have and this is the reason we want monetary compensation and modern equipment," Baushi said.
