Kilifi Agriculture, Livestock and Blue Economy CEC Chula Mwagona (In Shirt) officially hands over equipment to Mayungu BMU to enable them boost their businesses and transform their livelihood.
Six beach management units in Kilifi county have received a range of equipment aimed at strengthening their businesses and improving the livelihoods of local fishing communities as the New Year begins.
Read Also
Red hot Omanyala to orchestrate Kenya's 4x100m charge at World Relays today Athletics
Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football
Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

The beneficiary BMUs—Mayungu, Watamu, Mida, Uyombo Roka and Wesa—received items including deep freezers, cooler boxes, chairs and beehives through the Secure Coastal Communities and Seascapes Through Collaborative Stewardships (Secure) Project.

The project is funded by the Coastal Marine and Resource Development (Comrade) and Community Based Environmental Conservation (Cobec).

Enjoying this article? Subscribe for unlimited access to premium sports coverage.
View Plans

Fishing communities, including fish mongers, organised themselves into groups, submitted proposals to the project and successfully qualified for the support.

The equipment was handed over during a ceremony held at the Mayungu fish landing site in Malindi subcounty.

Officials from Cobec, Comrade, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Fisheries Department and the Kilifi government attended the event.

Speaking during the ceremony, Kilifi agriculture executive Chula Mwagona outlined the allocations to various groups.

He said the Mauwa group of Mayungu received five deep freezers, 15 cooler boxes, 40 chairs and 15 display boxes.

Makini group, also from Mayungu, received a similar package, while Amani Fishing Group received two freezers, 15 cooler boxes, 40 chairs and 10 display boxes.

Mwagona said Arabuko Community Forest Association (CFA) from Mida benefitted from 30 beehives and related harvesting equipment, including gumboots and smokers.

Uyombo group, he said, received 20 beehives and other beekeeping tools to support alternative income generation.

“This project has been successful through a strong partnership between the Kilifi government and non-governmental organisations operating in the region to help communities access alternative livelihoods,” Mwagona said.

Titus Jefwa from Comrade, who oversaw the handover, said the Secure project is a three-year initiative supporting six BMUs to improve ocean resource management and strengthen businesses within the fishing sector.

“Beyond fishing, we also support conservation groups, especially those involved in mangrove protection, by providing beekeeping equipment,” Jefwa noted.

Malindi Marine National Park KWS warden Ntindi Kassim said the initiative was key to empowering communities and improving their livelihoods while promoting conservation.

Mayungu BMU vice chairman Ahmed Omar welcomed the support, saying it would significantly enhance their operations and raise living standards.

Fish monger Bahati Fredrick also expressed gratitude, noting the donated equipment would go a long way in boosting their businesses.