In Summary
  • The court established that the government did not meet constitutional and legal requirements.
  • Governor Fahim Twaha thanked the Lapsset management for ensuring the rights of the fishermen are safeguarded.

The government will not pay monetary compensation to fishermen displaced by the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor Project (Lapsset), instead they will be trained and given modern equipment.

Lamu Port Project Manager Peter Oremo said the 4,734 fishermen will receive relevant skills that will enable them to fish in the deep seas.

"We are here today meeting the local leadership in a move to clear the air on matters of Lapsset fishers’ compensation. As we all know, the fishermen went to court to demand compensation.

"It should however be noted that there will be no monetary compensation...we shall give the fishermen skills and equipment so that they continue with the trade," Mr Oremo said at Majlis Hotel on Wednesday.

RIGHTS ABUSED

On May 1 this year, the Malindi High Court directed the national government to compensate them Sh1.76 billion for not meeting constitutional and legal requirements before approving the undertaking.

The court found that the government violated the community’s cultural rights and the right to a clean and healthy environment when they started the construction.

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