The Kenya Ports Authority has officially kicked off the disbursement of Sh 1.76 billion in compensation to Lamu County's fishing community, marking a significant milestone in resolving long-standing grievances tied to port development activities in the region.
KPA Board Chairman Hon. Benjamin Tayari presided over the launch of agreement form signings, describing the exercise as a critical step toward fulfilling the Authority's obligations to the local fishing population. The payout covers 4,734 registered fisherfolk whose livelihoods have been affected by port operations.
Phased Compensation Structure
The compensation package follows a two-tier structure designed to address both immediate needs and long-term economic sustainability. The cash compensation phase, which constitutes 65 percent of the total Sh 1.76 billion allocation, is now underway. Chairman Tayari confirmed that every qualified individual or family appearing on the validated registry will receive their entitled payment in accordance with existing legal provisions.
Immediately following completion of the cash distribution, Tayari has directed the established Task Force to convene stakeholder consultations regarding the remaining 35 percent of funds. This portion has been specifically reserved to support sustainability programs for Lamu County's fishing sector, ensuring the community can rebuild and diversify its economic base.
Port Expansion and Community Investment
The compensation rollout coincides with notable operational progress at the Port of Lamu, which received its 19th vessel on Sunday. Chairman Tayari expressed satisfaction with the port's development trajectory and outlined plans to acquire modern ship and cargo handling equipment to position Lamu as the region's most competitive port of call.
In a parallel commitment to community development, the Authority announced plans to allocate Sh 50 million in the next financial year for maritime training programs targeting Lamu residents. The investment will cover courses in maritime operations and other disciplines directly relevant to the logistics and shipping industries, providing local youth with employable skills in the growing port sector.
Addressing assembled community members, Lamu West Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Gabriel Kioni, speaking on behalf of the County Commissioner, thanked fisherfolk for their patience throughout the compensation process. He urged recipients to direct their payments toward productive economic ventures that would benefit their families and the broader community.
Chairman Tayari called upon all teams involved in the field operations to maintain momentum and provide maximum support to ensure the exercise reaches successful completion for the fishing community's benefit.