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At least ten have lost their lives from these attacks.
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Half of these number have lost function of a section of their body parts mostly limbs and the spine.
Victims of marine wildlife attacks in Lamu are demanding compensation from the government.
At least 200 people have been attacked by marine animals mostly sharks, stingrays, starfish and water snakes between 2020 and 2021, according to a report by the Lamu East Beach Management Unit.
Out of these, at least 10 lost their lives from the attacks.
At least half of the number lost function of a section of their body parts, mostly limbs and the spine following vicious attacks by marine wildlife.
The victims have accused the national government of concern only for those attacked by forest wildlife like lions and buffaloes.
Their efforts to seek help from the Kenya Wildlife Service office in the region haven’t borne fruit as they remain ignored while much focus is paid to human-wildlife conflicts in the county.
Lamu BMU chairperson Mohamed Somo said those injured have been maimed for life and cannot do anything for themselves.
He said poverty is rampant among such families as breadwinners have been incapacitated.
Somo asked that fishermen from Lamu be incorporated in state programmes to compensate victims of wildlife attacks.
He accused the county committee on compensation of only focusing on victims of forest wildlife and neglecting them.
“Wildlife is not just the lion or the hyena or buffalo. There is wildlife in the water too. Let there be compensation for any form of wildlife attack, be it marine or land. Why must they compensate someone bitten by a snake in the bush and refuse to compensate a fisherman bitten by a snake in the ocean?” Somo said.
Shee Kombo, 50, a fisherman from Kiwayu island in Lamu East, was paralysed in the leg after he was bitten by a stingray in June this year and has been unable to walk since.
Kombo was also bitten by a stingray in June last year.
His efforts to follow up with the KWS for compensation and treatment have been futile.
“I was bitten by a stingray last June and stayed home for six months nursing the wound. I was bitten again this June and my leg is now paralysed,” he said.
Mohamed Bakari, 45, was bitten by a water snake in March this year and almost died.
“My entire right leg is paralysed because the snake bit me in the thigh. I have been to various hospitals but I can’t walk,” he said.
The fishermen have urged Tourism and Wildlife CS Najib Balala to tour the region and look into their plight.
Areas that continue to record increased marine wildlife attacks in Lamu include Kizingitini, Kiunga, Kiwayu, Mkokoni, Ndau, Faza, Ishakani, Kiwayu and Mkokoni islands.
Chairperson of the Lamu Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee Ali Shebwana denied claims that victims of marine wildlife attacks have not been considered for compensation.
In June this year, the national government released Sh8 million to Lamu county for compensation of victims of wildlife attacks, he said.
Shebwana said three among those to be compensated are victims of marine wildlife attacks.
He said fewer than 10 people were attacked by marine animals from 2014 to date and that plans are underway to compensate them.
“The cases are few but we are looking into them,” he said.
Lamu county KWS commander Mathias Mwavita encouraged victims to report to his office once such attacks happen for compensation.
He lamented that late reporting makes it hard to verify and approve cases for compensation.
“There is no segregation. We attend to everyone fairly. We encourage timely reporting,” he said.
Edited by Henry Makori