This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
Published on October 28, 2019, Mombasa County has taken a significant step towards transforming its fishing sector with the acquisition of 28 modern fishing boats worth Sh145 million.
The fibre boats, acquired from Watamu in Malindi, will be handed over to 15 Beach Management Units (BMUs) to boost the fishing industry in the region.
Speaking during the unveiling of the boats at Mombasa Old Port, Governor Hassan Joho emphasized the need to transform the status of fishermen and Mombasa as a fish export centre like Lake Victoria.
“All those who built on public land meant for fish landing must quit now or be evicted. The county government holds such land in trust for the public,” Governor Joho warned.
Additionally, the county government plans to provide cold storage facilities, organize fishermen into cooperatives, and facilitate value addition to earn them better prices.
Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir urged the county government to reclaim all grabbed fish landing sites and vowed to raise the matter in Parliament.
“All ports and ferries should be placed under the counties as the law says. We will fight for what is rightly ours. This is what will make our people enjoy the benefits of having a sea,” he said.
