Three Senate standing committees have called for the urgent handover of the Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site project to the Kilifi County Government to allow it to be effectively managed and operationalised.
The Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Senator Mohamed Faki, the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, chaired by Senator Wafula Wakoli, and the Standing Committee on Energy, chaired by Senator William Kisang, conducted a joint oversight visit to the facility.
The Senators were accompanied by Kilifi County officials and representatives of the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project.
During the visit, the committees inspected key facilities at the landing site, including the cold storage facility, fish banda, gear shed, solar project and waste digester.
The Senators also met members of Beach Management Units, fish traders and women’s groups to hear their concerns and discuss the sustainability of the project and its integration into the blue economy.
The engagement established that the project had not yet been formally handed over by the National Government to the County Government of Kilifi.
The committees directed that the handover be undertaken without further delay to enable the county government to assume its devolved responsibilities and oversee the facility.
The Senators also raised concern over access to the project after residents reported that individuals had allegedly encroached on the road serving the facility.
The committees directed the Ministry of Lands to take steps to reclaim and secure the access road.
“We cannot accept a project like this without an access road,” said Faki.
The welfare of fishermen was also a major issue during the deliberations, with stakeholders raising concerns over inadequate support and challenges affecting fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on the sector.
Faki noted that fisheries is a devolved function and called on the Kilifi County Government to prioritise the welfare of fishermen and address challenges affecting the sector.
“We cannot have 13 years of devolution and the problems facing fishermen remain the same, including the lack of adequate legislation to guide the sector,” Faki said.
The Senators also heard concerns from residents over what they described as inadequate public participation in decisions concerning the project.
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