Along the coastline of Kiwayu in Lamu East Sub-county, a quiet transformation is underway. Local fishermen, once burdened by outdated equipment and financial instability, are now experiencing renewed hope — thanks to grants from the County Government of Lamu through the KEMSFED project.

Launched four months ago by Governor Issa Timamy, EGH, OGW, the initiative supports small-scale fishermen with modern fishing gear, cold storage, and transport infrastructure.

The impact is already visible both at sea and onshore.”KEMFSED didn’t just give us freezers — they gave us power over our own future,” said Mr. Omar Famau Kijamba, Chair of the Kiwayu Fishermen Initiative group. “Before, we were forced to sell fish quickly and cheaply before it spoiled. Now, we store it, wait for better prices, and feed our families with dignity.”

The KEMFSED project includes a new landing site and a cold storage facility with a capacity of 1,500 kilograms. It has significantly improved the livelihoods of local fishermen, many of whom still rely on traditional methods despite the untapped potential of the fishing sector.

This support is not just about equipment — it’s about restoring dignity, increasing income, and building sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

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For more information, contact the Communication Office at:communication@lamu.go.ke