The Silent Struggles of Women in Coastal Mines: A Call for Change

How Hazardous Working Conditions Impact Female Workers

Behind the shimmering piles of harvested salt in Kilifi County lies a hidden crisis—women working in extreme conditions without proper protection. Reports indicate:

• Miscarriages and reproductive health issues due to hypersaline water exposure.
• Poor wages—workers earn as little as Kshs. 4 per wheelbarrow of salt.
• Lack of protective gear, despite industry claims of compliance.

The 2006 Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) inquiry revealed these shocking conditions, yet the exploitation persists. Ilishe Trust’s voter education and natural resource clinics aim to raise awareness and push for reforms.

Isn’t it time for the salt industry to put people over profits?