Fishermen in Lamu can now breathe easy after the national government announced plans to review a night fishing ban that has been in place in Kiunga, Lamu East Sub-County, for the past five years.
The national government introduced the ban in 2011 as a security measure following attacks and kidnappings of fishermen and tourists in the region by suspected Al-Shabaab militants. Lamu leaders, led by Governor Issa Timamy, have been pushing for lifting of the ban, saying it has contributed to poverty among locals whose only economic activity is fishing.