No more sex for fish, filth and poverty for Kilifi fisherfolk

The day has just began well for them as more catch is seen coming in from the sea.

The women look healthy, are happy and relaxed as they go about their business.

We find Alice Kazungu, who is very friendly and welcoming.

She is one of the women beneficiaries of the Population Health and Environment Programme, which is steered by WWF Kenya, the Ministry of Health and other partners. 

She and other women are busy preparing and selling their fish in a clean environment, contrary to what is witnessed in many fish markets. They have been empowered.

The programme seeks to educate fisherfolk on family planning, environmental conservation and how to better their livelihoods.

The project was launched in 2019 and targets fisher folks from Bofu, Kilifi Central, Mnarani, Takaungu and Timboni.

For Kazungu, the programme has had a significant impact on her life. She is informed and well-aware of the relationship between population, health and environment. 

The mother of seven children is now financially stable and able to plan well for her life and the business future.

"I now look presentable and healthy and my fish business is prospering unlike before," she says.

The programme helped her control the rate of giving birth and raise a manageable family.

Kazungu says she had no idea of birth control methods and used to give birth almost every year.

She said it is a factor that led to poverty as the economy toughens and it affected her psychologically.

"I used to give birth too closely and I didn't know what to do. It was stressful because you can't be productive in other things," she said.

Kazungu said since they were introduced to the PHE programme, women can effectively monitor their cycles and plan well for pregnancies.

The mother said she is now active and productive because she can run her business without worries and assist her husband in fending for the family. 

Proper family planning has made her wealthy and healthy. She puts on new clothes and eats well compared to before when they hardly had enough because of the uncontrolled growing family.

Kazungu said they were taught how to conserve the environment and conduct business in a clean environment.

Elyna Tatu is now a proud woman after benefiting from the PHE programme.

Tatu said family planning has transformed her to be a respectable woman with dignity. 

She said it is almost four years since she started birth control and life has improved. 

Tatu said they are regularly tested for pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, which has bettered their health. 

They also do cancer screening and emphasized on improving sexual and reproductive health. 

The mother of six children said she has become an environmental enthusiast through the project. 

She said previously fisherfolk used to prepare fish in a dirty environment, wash them with contaminated water and throw the waste back into the sea.

Tatu said everyone is enlightened and they have adopted good hygiene in the fish business and general lifestyle.

"We used to prepare fish on the sand and wash them with seawater which is unhealthy," she said.

Another fisher folk Rukia Juma said the project has helped women to protect themselves from sexual harassment.

Cases of sex for fish were rampant in the area, resulting in the increase in sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies.

Kilifi Central Beach Management Unit chairman Henry Chiko said a lot of sensitisation campaigns were carried out and many people received the knowledge. 

The fisherman said tremendous improvement in environmental management and family planning have been seen.

"The PHE programme made women resilient to sex predators. They can resist temptations and live decent lives," he said.

Another fisherman, Juma Ngumbao, said locals have become aware of safe sex unlike before when people didn't bother about protection or the health status of their partners.

Kilifi fisheries officer Gabriel Kapena said the PHE programme brought health services closer to citizens. 

He said it has strengthened their livelihood activities and income through better hygiene and environmental conservation because farmers are also engaged in planting mangroves and trees.

Kapena said fisher folks have mastered the knowledge of sustainable fishing.

Kilifi South subcounty public health officer Stella Gwendera said they have seen a rise in the number of family planning patients. 

Gwendera, who is also a reproductive nurse, said the general health also has improved because of free counseling and treatment services.

WWF-Kenya marine program coordinator Lily Mwasi said the project is aimed at promoting environmental conservation through a healthy population.

She said the programme brought all challenges and solutions under one platform, thus drawing a wide range of target groups.

Mwasi said the PHE was designed to support the livelihoods of fishermen by adding value to their products hence better market.

She said the programme provided an opportunity for leadership, governance and financial management skills to both women and men to help improve their living standards.