Senate Committees Demand Handover of Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site

Three Senate standing committees have urged the immediate transfer of the Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site project to the Kilifi County Government for proper management and operationalization. The committees, led by Senator Mohamed Faki, Senator Wafula Wakoli, and Senator William Kisang, visited the facility alongside Kilifi County officials and KEMFSED project representatives.

During the visit, they examined essential facilities such as the cold storage, fish banda, gear shed, solar project, and waste digester. The committees also engaged with Beach Management Units, fish traders, and women's groups to discuss the project's sustainability and integration into the blue economy.

The committees discovered that the project has not yet been formally transferred from the national government to Kilifi County. They emphasized the urgent need for the handover to allow the county government to assume its devolved responsibilities and manage the facility effectively. Additionally, the Senators expressed concerns about restricted access to the project, following reports of unauthorized individuals encroaching on the access road.

The Ministry of Lands has been directed to reclaim and secure the access road without further delay, as Faki stated, "We cannot accept a project like this without an access road."

Fishing community welfare emerged as a significant concern during the deliberations. Stakeholders raised issues about insufficient support for fishermen and the challenges faced by fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on the sector. Faki highlighted that fisheries is a devolved function and called on the Kilifi County Government to prioritize the welfare of fishermen and address the ongoing challenges in the sector.

He also noted the lack of adequate legislation to guide the fishing industry despite 13 years of devolution. The committees further heard complaints from residents regarding inadequate public participation in decisions concerning the project, underscoring the necessity of involving the community in the decision-making process.