MOMBASA County-Jan 3, 2026- Likoni fish traders have welcomed the New Year with a reason to celebrate: a newly completed, modern fish market that promises to transform their daily business and livelihoods. The facility, located near the Likoni Ferry, has been designed to accommodate over 300 traders, offering a more hygienic, spacious, and organized environment for the sale of fish and seafood.
The market is part of a joint initiative between the Mombasa County Government and the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy, aimed at strengthening the blue economy and supporting coastal communities. Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir confirmed the completion of the market, noting that it would soon be officially commissioned. While his announcement coincided with New Year celebrations, the significance of the market lies in its potential to improve daily operations for fishers and traders.
For traders like Gada Salim Kirago, who has been in the business for over three decades, the market represents both a practical improvement and a chance to better her family’s future.
“This is the best New Year gift I have received apart from the life that God has given us,” Kirago said, describing the facility as more spacious and easier for customers to navigate while purchasing fish.
Mgeni Abdalla, another trader, recalled the harsh conditions of the old market. “I was weather-beaten. During dry days, I had to work under the scotching sun, and dust often discouraged clients from buying fish,” she said.
Abdalla has already booked her space in the new market and expressed confidence that the improved environment will increase her sales and comfort while working. Beyond the traders’ experiences, the market is set to enhance the operational efficiency of Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Likoni.
Shabani Matano, Chairperson of the Likoni BMU, highlighted that the modern facilities, including properly designed stalls and adequate storage, will help reduce losses from spoilage and provide hope for higher earnings.
“Although the fish stock has reduced in the sea, we hope this year things will be better with this new facility giving us more hope for a brighter future,” Matano said.
The BMU Vice-chairperson, Mohamed Juma, noted that the market was part of a campaign pledge by Governor Nassir. “We are thankful that this promise has been fulfilled. Now we have a modern fish market which we hope will make our lives much better,” Juma said, emphasizing the need for cold storage rooms to preserve fish and further enhance trade.
Economists and coastal business observers note that modernizing fish markets is crucial for Kenya’s blue economy, which contributes significantly to employment, food security, and income generation along the coast. A well-organised market reduces losses, improves hygiene standards, attracts more customers, and supports sustainable fishing practices by providing fishers with reliable points of sale.
Likoni’s market comes at a time when coastal fish stocks have been under pressure due to overfishing and environmental changes. The upgraded facility offers traders not just a better working environment but also the potential to innovate — by introducing cold storage, better record-keeping, and organised supply chains that could reduce post-harvest losses.
For residents and visitors, the market also promises a more pleasant shopping experience, with wider walkways, proper sanitation, and a structured layout that makes it easier to buy fresh seafood. Traders hope that the improved aesthetics will attract more customers, including tourists, and boost daily earnings.
While Governor Nassir’s involvement is acknowledged as a coordinating role in the project, the real impact will be measured by the traders’ livelihoods, market efficiency, and the health of the local fishing economy.
For the hundreds of small-scale fishers and vendors who rely on the Likoni market for their daily income, this modernisation is more than a government project — it is a chance for stability, growth, and renewed hope in their trade.
As Kirago and Abdalla prepare to occupy their new stalls, the community is optimistic that the market will increase sales, reduce losses, and improve working conditions. The Likoni BMU and county authorities are already exploring ways to complement the market with cold storage facilities, training for traders, and stronger management of fish supplies.
In a coastal economy where small gains can mean the difference between survival and hardship, the modern Likoni fish market is more than infrastructure — it is a symbol of opportunity, resilience, and the promise of a stronger blue economy for Kenya’s coastal communities.
