Kenyan women transform livelihoods and coastline through innovative mud crab farming initiative

In the coastal villages of Mombasa County, Kenya, a remarkable transformation is taking place along the mangrove-lined shores of Jomvu Creek. What began as an informal women’s savings group, known locally as a “chama,” has evolved into an innovative environmental restoration project that’s changing both lives and landscapes.

The Jomvu Women in Fisheries and Culture, a community organization of women aged 35-60, has turned to an unexpected solution: mud crab farming. Four years ago, most of these women worked as “mama karanga” – frying fish over smoky charcoal fires near beaches – or selling fresh catch in local markets. Others stayed home caring for families. However, declining fish stocks, health issues from constant smoke exposure, and the unpredictable nature of small-scale trading pushed them to seek alternatives.

Their opportunity came in 2021 when the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project offered grants for blue economy enterprises. The women embraced this chance, converting old bread crates into crab farming cages and learning entirely new skills around tidal patterns, crab nutrition, and mangrove cultivation.

This innovative approach represents more than just economic diversification – it’s becoming a model for coastal restoration. By combining sustainable aquaculture with mangrove conservation, these women are addressing multiple environmental challenges while building more stable income sources. Their success demonstrates how community-led initiatives can create powerful solutions that benefit both people and the planet, offering hope for other vulnerable coastal communities facing similar pressures from climate change and resource depletion.