The 20th Lamu Cultural Festival, which featured exhilarating water sports to thrilling cultural dances and dazzling arts came to a close this Saturday evening 27th November 2022.

The event was hosted by the Lamu Governor H.E. Issa Abdalla Timamy and graced by a host of dignitaries led by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary H.E. Musalia Mudavadi, Ambassadors, Political leaders drawn from across the country, local leaders among others .

The three day action packed Lamu Festival 2022 attracted over 40,000 foreign and local tourists to the beautiful Lamu archipelago, enthralling them with activities like; dhow races, donkey races, fishing competition, traditional henna paintings, numerous poetry readings, music performances and competitive Bao games and an endless selection of mouth watering Lamu cuisine.

This year’s festival’s theme, “A melting pot of variety and multiculturalism,” played a key role in emphasizing the richness of Lamu’s culture, promoting intercultural understanding, and showcasing the rich and varied cultural manifestations of Lamu’s different communities.

Speaking during the donkey racing competition, H.E. Mudavadi lauded the Lamu county government for meticulously and successfuly organizing cultural events, which were heavily dependent on the outdoors and focused on bringing artforms and broader cultural expressions into unusual locations and innovative combinations..

“I’m glad to be in Lamu the Island that conjure dreams of paradise: an escape from the rat race and a perfect patch of sand where you can relax under rustling palms and gaze at a serene blue sea to celebrate and explore the rich culture that is a once-in-a-lifetime communal cultural experiences” said the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

Lamu Governor H.E. Issa Timamy thanked everyone who contributed to the event’s success, emphasizing that the purpose of this year’s celebration was to foster a sense of shared euphoria and collective joy that was in keeping with Lamu’s rich social heritage that not only define Lamu County, but also binds the society to pass it on from one generation to another.

“There is no disputing the value of cultural festivals, and we are cognizant of the fact that none of our social interactions are as energizing as the festival. Participating in this year’s festival gives one a chance to learn about the cultural histories of our different communities, as well as to value variety, promote peace and cohesiveness, and support these communities,” said the A.N.C national party leader.

The event has brought Lamu Island roaring back to life after a protracted break caused by the impacts of COVID-19 with winners in various categories being honored with cash prizes.

Among those in attendance were top national government officials, dignatries and diplomats including Marsabit Governor H.E. Mahamoud Ali, Garissa Governor H.E. Nadhif Jama, Lamu Deputy Governor H.E. Raphael Munyua, Ambassadors H.E Khalid Bin Abdullah Al-Salman-Saudi Arabia, H.E V.Pantazopoulou-Greece, H.E. Rasheed Qusai-Kuwait, H.E. Ole Thonke-Denmark, Lamu County Senator Hon.Githuku, Lamu County Members of Parliament, MCAs among others.

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Prime Cabinet Secretary H.E. Musalia Mudavadi has today arrived in Lamu to celebrate the 20th Annual cultural festivals.

The former A.N.C Party leader was recieved by H.E. Governor Issa Timamy who was joined by his Deputy H.E. Raphael Munyua.

The three day cultural festival kicked off yesterday in high gear and was graced by the Lamu Governor and A.N.C Party Leader where thousands of visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy traditional dances, cooking displays, donkey racing, mashua racing, iron man triathlon, cultural displays, soccer, swimming and fishing competitions among others.

This is year’s event is being held at Lamu Island which is a world heritage site and the oldest surviving swahili town. It is running under the theme; ‘A melting pot of diversity and multiculturalism” which is a key driver in celebrating the diversity in our cultures, promoting intercultural understanding and showcasing various communities’ rich and diverse cultural expressions.

The Deputy Governor later accompanied the Prime Cabinet Minister on a tour to the Port of Lamu, where they deliberated on how to optimize the port operations and unlock it’s potential by creating employment, opening up opportunities as well as positioning Lamu as an economic hub within the coastal region.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary is among top government officials and dignitaries who are in Lamu to celebrate this year’s festival.

“We are alive to the fact that culture can be used to foster peace, unity, and integration and ultimately enhance county and national development. I am glad to be in Lamu today to celebrate this years cultural festivals where this great county has been able yo bring out its magic of the Kenyan coastal Island” Said the Prime Cabinet Secretary, adding that this event will significantly increase both domestic and international tourist arrivals.

Lamu Deputy Governor praised the event as a platform for marketing Lamu’s culture within the region and internationally.
“This festival aims at bringing together local and foreign tourists to celebrate the rich diversity of Lamu cultural heritage and creativity. Under the leadership of Governor Timamy we intend to use this festival as a platform to promote cultural tourism as well as conservation, safeguarding and development of our cultural heritage. The event has created direct employment to thousands of youths and has also positioned Lamu as the most preferred tourist destination,” said the Deputy Governor.

Lamu is one of the largest and most visited islands renowned for its Swahili cultural heritage, donkey sanctuaries, white sandy beaches, pristine blue waters and many cultural traditions.

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H.E the Governor Issa Timamy has today witnessed the swearing in of ambassador Ali Abass Ali to be the new county secretary of Lamu County Government.

KPA Chairman General Retired Joseph Kibwana accompanied by Board of Directors yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Lamu County Deputy Governor H.E. Raphael Munywa to discuss on how they can sustain their relationship towards developing the Lamu port.

Lamu County is among the six counties that are set to benefit from Sh. 3.5 billion grant from the European Union to support the Blue Economy projects.

The grant will be coordinated by the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP), the regional economic bloc representing  and will include Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, and Taita Taveta counties respectively.

The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms team has today paid a courtesy call to Lamu Deputy Governor, H.E Raphael Munyua in his office, after a two days tour in Lamu to receive views from stakeholders on the implementation of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).

The taskforce was formed by H.E President William Ruto in September to collect views countrywide on matter relating to education reforms including the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The team led by Prof. Laila Abubakar made preliminary engagements with the Deputy Governor and presented their Terms of Reference.

Lamu Deputy Governor commended the work being done by the task force, and added that the views collected will help towards restructuring, implementation and improving the quality of the C.B.C system for the best interests of our children.

“I welcome the opportunity presented to the great people of Lamu to share their views and experiences on the CBC system with the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms with a view of modifying it to conform with the aspirations of all the stakeholders in the sector.” stated the Deputy Governor.

Today, the team is in Lamu West to collect views at Mokowe arid zone where they are meeting various stakeholders.

Also in attendance was Lamu County Commissioner Mr. irungu Macharia among other members of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms team that included Prof. Hassan Mwakimaleo, Mr. Paul Lilan, Mr. J.K Kaaga, Mr. Sebastian Owanga among others.
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For more information contact
Lamu County Government Communications Office at; communication@lamu.go.ke

Lamu Governor H.E Issa Timamy has just concluded inspecting Lake Kenyatta critical key water inlets at Pangani, Mukuru and Mugumoini respectively.

The Governor is accompanied by his Deputy H.E Raphael Munyua in a fact finding mission to establish the cause of the shrunk Lake Kenyatta which is the only Lake that has fresh water in Lamu County.

The Governor is now at Lake Kenyatta river bank in a consultative meeting with farmers, herdsmen, fishermen and key stakeholders to discuss on how to conserve and save Lake Kenyatta and thereafter sign an action plan.

Also in attendance is Lamu County Commisoner, Deputy County Commissioner, C.E.M Hon. Paul Thairu HSC, C.E.C.M Dr. Anne Gathoni, Lamu County Chief of Staff among others.

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For more information contact
Lamu County Government Communications Office at; communication@lamu.go.ke

Lamu Governor H.E Issa Timamy has promised to double the county budget allocation for persons living with disabilities and create for them more employment opportunities in his administration.
 
Speaking when he attended a Community Based Organization event in Lamu that was giving PWDs wheelchairs to enable move with ease, the Governor said his administration is committed and will ensure all PWDs are treated with dignity and given all opportunities they deserve.
 
Governor Timamy who was accompanied by his Deputy Governor H.E. Raphael Munyua commended the Khairat Community which is a community based organization together with The Accessibility Institute (T.A.I) for donating 13 wheelchairs to different disabled people within Lamu.

“People who are disabled have a role to play in our society and they should be enabled to perform. My administration will work together with them because there is a big potential and we are determined to ensure each and every PWD is given an opportunity in the development of our county,” The Lamu County Governor said.

He further noted there will be a proper identification of PWDs in Lamu that will enable the government to reach them whenever there is government aid or opportunities.

T.A.I General Manager Mr. Suleiman Charo said the commitment made by the governor towards PWDs social protection would go along way towards ensuring their fundamental effective inclusion and active participation in society. T.A.I works in collaboration with the Khairat Foundation to identify and support PWDs and they mainly target the youth (13-30 years) with aid, education and sourcing employment opportunities.

Also in attendance was Lamu County Chief of Staff Mr. Abdulnassir M. Issa, Managing Director DTB Mr. Mohamed Khatib, Khairat Community founder Mr. Abdulrahman Omar among others.

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For more information contact
Lamu County Government Communications Office at; communication@lamu.go.ke