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{
    "id": 1440974,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1440974/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 50,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Lamu County, Independent",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Muthoni Marubu",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the status of compensation of fishermen in Lamu County. For over a decade, fishermen have been engaged in legal battles and rigorous vetting processes to receive compensation after being displaced by the Lamu Port III Berth Project also known as the LAPSSET Project. The project area was primarily the popular fishing grounds for local fishermen, suitable for their use of rudimentary fishing equipment. However, due to the effects of dredging, destruction of coral reefs and mangrove forests, which led to murky waters, the fish population and locations were affected, thereby displacing the fishermen from that area. Moreover, the High Court of Kenya held that the project disrupted the cultural and economic activities of the local fisher community and were to be rightfully compensated. While we appreciate the efforts made by the Government in initiating the compensation process, it is regrettable that there are significant concerns regarding the criteria used to verify the fishermen to be compensated. Further, in addition to the fair compensation, the Government was to implement a comprehensive fishing value chain approach to ensure sustainability of the local fisher community. It is against this background that I seek a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the following: 1. Can the Chairperson provide details of the fishermen set to receive compensation, including their areas of residence and fishing grounds, and state the criteria used for the verification process? 2. Can the Chairperson state the measures in place to ensure that only fishermen from the affected fishing grounds and local fisher community receive compensation, and provide timelines for completion of the compensation process? 3. Can the Chairperson explain why the Government is yet to implement a fishing value chain approach to boost the fishing industry in the area, considering that the compensation provided to fishermen does not provide a long-term solution hence jeopardising the sustainable source of livelihood of the fisher community in Lamu County? I thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}