How crab farming is turning the tide for Kilifi fisherfolk

The Dabaso Creek Conservation Group, founded in 2000.[Levis Musumba/Standard] In the quiet village of Dabaso, tucked in Kilifi North sub-county along the shimmering Mida Creek, a community of once-struggling fisherfolk is rewriting its story. For decades, fishing was the lifeblood of Dabaso. Men and women depended on the ocean for their survival, but dwindling stocks and environmental degradation pushed many into poverty. However, an innovative conservation project has brought about a significant change. "Life as a fisherman was tough. Some days we came home empty-handed, with nothing for our children to eat," says Dickson Mizinga, a member of the Dabaso Creek Conservation Group. Adds the father of six, "The ocean was our only hope, but the catches kept getting smaller, and many of us lost faith." The Dabaso Creek Conservation Group, founded in 2000 by 41 members, including 14 women, began as a humble effort to restore degraded mangroves. The community knew that mangroves were not just trees but nurseries for fish and other marine life. Over the years, they planted more than 70,000 mangroves along the creek, slowly breathing life back into a once-depleted ecosystem. But conservation alone could not sustain livelihoods. "We needed a way to feed our families and educate our children while still protecting the environment," recalls Benjamin Karisa, the group's chairman. When they first ventured into crab farming, progress was slow and discouraging. "We had no training, no proper cages, and depended only on traditional knowledge. Many crabs died, and profits were so minimal that some members nearly gave up," Karisa admits. The breakthrough came in 2004, when the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) introduced the group to modern cage crab farming techniques. What began as a small experiment rooted in indigenous practices soon gained momentum. With further training and backing from the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Socio-Economic Development Project (KEMFSED), the enterprise grew rapidly. By 2022, the group had expanded from just 10 cages to more than 1,000, transforming into one of the largest crab-fattening ventures along Kenya's coast. Lucy Kapombe, KEMFSED project coordinator in Kilifi County, says the success is proof that empowering communities pays off. "When we started training the group, many of them were uncertain whether crab farming could really work on a large scale. Today, they are a model for the entire coast-demonstrating how conservation and livelihoods can go hand in hand. In 2023, we purchased 930 more cages for the group to double production, and they can now harvest up to 1,000 quality crabs every season," she explains. Karisa, the group's chairman, agrees. "We never imagined we would reach this level. What was once just a dream to sustain our families has now become a business that supports the whole community. Crab farming has given us dignity, income, and hope for the future," he says with pride. The process is straightforward but requires patience and skill. Small crabs weighing about 300 grams are collected either by members or hired fishermen and placed in cages installed among the mangroves. Fed daily on fish waste and gastropods, the crabs grow steadily until they reach market size, about 500 grams in three months. Each kilo fetches as much as Sh800, double the price of fish. "Crab fattening is a win-win. We conserve mangroves, restore fish breeding grounds, and at the same time create a livelihood for our members," explains Karisa. The numbers tell an even bigger story. With nearly 1,000 crabs ready for sale each harvest, the group earns between Sh300,000 and Sh500,000 a month in high seasons. In 2024 alone, they made Sh20 million in profits. "On average, one kilo of crab... about two pieces... sells for Sh800. During peak seasons, we make profits ranging from Sh300,000 to as high as Sh1.5 million a month. To expand our income, we also opened a restaurant where we serve fresh seafood directly to customers. Here, harvested crabs are cooked or grilled and sold at Sh3,500 for just 500 grams. This way, we not only increase our earnings but also create a unique experience for crab lovers," says Karisa. This structure has transformed lives. Each member now takes home annual dividends of between Sh100,000 and Sh350,000. For 49-year-old Dickson Mizinga, a father of six, joining the group was life-changing. Once a hotel worker, he lost his job and struggled to support his family. Fourteen years ago, he turned to crab farming. "In 2023, I received Sh340,000 in dividends. Last year, it was Sh350,000. I've managed to educate my children up to university and even built rental houses as an alternative source of income," he says with pride. For women, the impact is equally profound. Thirty-three-year-old teacher and mother of three, Moureen Halima, joined in 2016. "From my share of dividends, I bought land and built a house. In 2023, I received Sh50,000, but by 2024, it doubled to Sh100,000. This has given me financial independence I never dreamed of," she shares. The group didn't stop at farming. They established the popular Dabaso Crab Shack, an eco-restaurant perched among the mangroves, where diners feast on freshly grilled or curried crabs. A 500-gram serving goes for Sh3,500, drawing tourists and locals alike. They also run canoe rides for bird watchers and sunset lovers, making conservation a tourist attraction. "This is not just business; it's conservation with benefits," Karisa says. "Every crab we sell, every meal we serve, supports both livelihoods and the ecosystem." Lucy Kapombe, KEMFSED project coordinator in Kilifi County, notes, "What makes this group stand out is not just the profit they generate, but the way they use it. By channelling resources back into conservation, social welfare, and the community, they have created a cycle of growth and responsibility that others can learn from." Kenya exported more than 130,000kg of frozen crabs in 2023, worth nearly $490,000 (Sh63.2 million). With global demand rising, communities like Dabaso are positioning themselves as key players in the blue economy. The transformation in Dabaso is not only economic but also cultural. Traditionally, women in Mijikenda communities were barred from entering the sea or engaging in conservation work. That began to change with the group's formation. "Before I joined, women were excluded from such activities. But we pushed for gender consideration, and now we are 14 women members," says 49-year-old mother of seven, Caroline Kitu. Caroline, once a fish and vegetable seller, now plants mangroves, tends crab cages, and educates visitors. "Today, I can tell whether a crab is male or female just by looking at it. My income has grown, and I feel proud to be part of conservation," she says. Her story echoes the larger push to include women in the blue economy. Experts like Lucy Kapombe, KEMFSED coordinator for Kilifi County, say such initiatives are vital. "Women and youth are often left behind in marine resource management. Through projects like Blue Empowerment, we are addressing barriers and introducing climate-smart technologies to boost productivity," she explains. Still, crab farming has hurdles. Maintaining cages is costly, and plastic cages often break as crabs grow larger, leading to escapes. More importantly, Kenya lacks a crab hatchery. Farmers must rely on collecting wild crabs, which raises sustainability concerns. "If we solve the hatchery problem, the value will grow significantly. Right now, we depend on nature, and that limits our expansion," says Karisa. Globally, crabs account for 20 per cent of marine crustaceans caught and consumed, amounting to 1.5 million tonnes annually. With prices nearly triple that of fish, crab farming is proving a smart choice for coastal communities.

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