The construction of the multi-million-shilling Mokowe Modern Fish Landing Site is now over 80 percent complete, signaling a major economic breakthrough for the coastal region’s fishing industry. According to Sabrina Mkare Jefwa, the Lamu County Executive for Fisheries, Blue Economy, Cooperative Development, and Livestock, the state-of-the-art facility is on track for an official opening before the end of July 2026.
Speaking from her office at the Lamu County Headquarters in Mokowe, Ms. Mkare confirmed that all major structural work has been finalized, with contractors now focusing heavily on the final touches, specifically the jetty and seawall sections.
The Sh138 million facility is the largest of its kind across the Lamu archipelago. Funded by the Government of Kenya through the State Department for Blue Economy under the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) Project, it aims to radically transform the local blue economy. The project was officially launched on March 6, 2025, by Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, who pledged to fast-track the project as part of President William Ruto’s economic agenda to ensure value for money and time.
Most of the critical infrastructure on-site has already been completed, including the main fish processing and dispatch building, an ablution block, Beach Management Unit (BMU) offices, a biodigester, a soak pit, and an interceptor drainage system. Current works are focused on boundary wall construction, steel fixing, bio-reactor development, and painting across key sections. Once fully operational, the facility will be equipped with a 5-ton ice flake-making machine, a dedicated fish chilling room, and a modern landing jetty to streamline operations.
Despite Lamu playing a pivotal role in Kenya’s marine fishing sector, the industry has remained largely unexplored due to deplorable infrastructure. The county’s estimated 10,000 fishermen have long endured years of operation without a modern facility, often watching their daily catch spoil before reaching the market.
The new landing site is designed to serve all 42 Beach Management Units (BMUs) across the archipelago, significantly slashing these post-harvest losses, improving hygiene standards, and increasing incomes for local fishermen.
Mohamed Somo, the Lamu County BMU Network Chair and Indian Ocean Water Body (IOWB) lobbyist, hailed the ongoing construction as a new dawn for the region. He noted that the inclusion of ice plants and cold storage units directly addresses their historical challenge of ice scarcity, allowing for longer storage and better market access.
To ensure long-term sustainability, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Ali Joho previously revealed plans to provide comprehensive training to local BMUs, enabling them to sustainably manage the facility and its associated resources.
County Executive Ms. Jefwa emphasized that the local government remains fully committed to ensuring this massive infrastructure investment directly translates into real economic empowerment for coastal families. By strengthening the blue economy value chain through enhanced storage, processing, and trade opportunities, the project is poised to position Lamu as a leading fisheries hub in Kenya.
