Lamu County’s youth will soon be able to enjoy their sports in better conditions as construction of new state-of-the-art sports and recreational facilities progress.

The Lamu County Government’s Department of Sports has begun constructing three seven-a-side Astro-turf pitches in Shela, Lamu Boys, and Twaif as part of the county’s sports infrastructure development strategy.

Tchundwa Stadium’s Dias project is also in the works in Faza Ward. Two basketball courts are also being constructed from the ground up in Muungano, Bahari Ward, and Twaif, Mkomani Ward.

The six grassroots projects are part of Lamu County Governor Fahim Twaha’s overall sports promotion plan, which aims to help find, nurture, and develop indigenous sporting potential.

Governor Fahim Twaha identified sports as one of the crucial aspects in his administration’s objective to promote education, peace, violence prevention, gender equality, and good health among youth, yesterday January 2nd 2022, at the County offices in Mokowe.

“Sports are critical in keeping youth away from vices that are becoming increasingly common, such as drug abuse. Young people who participate in sports learn important life skills like communication, collaboration, and leadership, which increase their self-confidence and help them prepare for the job market.” Governor Fahim stated.

He went on to say that sports will bring the Lamu community together, fostering oneness.

“The team players work together in unity disregarding their differences while their supporters get together in harmony to cheer on their team, putting aside political tensions and cultural differences. Sport brings entertainment to people as they take a break from their daily routines ” he continued

Hon. Paul Thairu, HSC, CECM Education Technology, Youth Affairs, Sports, Gender and Social Services, further emphasized the importance of sports in encouraging physical fitness/ health as well as boosting Lamu County’s brand, selling the county to the globe, and improving its image.

“Physical activity promotes fitness and general well-being, therefore a sporting community has a good quality of life. Sports are particularly important in the growth of children since they teach life values like patience, leadership, teamwork, and self-esteem ” he stated.

Mr. Peter Ndichu, the County Director of Sports, said that having the necessary sports facilities at the ward level is a step in the right direction and would result in a lot of progress in the County’s sports. He added that the sporting infrastructure will enable leagues at all levels enabling frequent matches which are critical for the development of local talent.

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For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at

info@lamu.go.ke

Hon. Paul Thairu, HSC, CECM Education, led a team of top officials from the County Department of Education in handing over the County’s ECDE project to the awarded contractor in Nairobi area, Witu Ward on Monday 31st January 2021.

The Nairobi area ECDE project is one of seven that the Department of Education will commission this year, with Tewa, Muungano, Muhamarani, and Mugumoini already turned over last week, January 25th 2022.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at Nairobi area, Education CECM Hon Paul Thairu, HSC, underlined that, Governor Fahim Twaha’s administration is determined to expanding access to quality early learning to set Lamu’s young children on a brighter path to lifelong learning.

‘Education is at the heart of Governor Fahim Twaha’s approach to social reform, and we are dedicated to supporting a holistic early childhood development for the County’s future generation of children aged 4-5 years. Hon Thairu stated, “We have been on a journey to establish a solid and long-lasting basis for Lamu’s ECDE sector.”

“In a child’s first five years, the brain matures faster than at any other time and is at its most malleable – these early years are a critical period for getting children the care and learning opportunities we know they need to succeed in school and grow up to be healthy and productive adults,” he added.

Mr. Abdalla Ahmed, Chief Officer Education, said the project will provide relief to Nairobi area’s youngest learners, who have previously been forced to walk long distances to school.

“Because at 4-5 years old these children are particularly vulnerable, it is critical that they study in a safe, congenial atmosphere closer to home rather than trekking long distances to school.” Mr. Ahmed stated

In the last four fiscal years, the County Government has built a total of 28 ECDEs, with seven more planned for this fiscal year. Aside from infrastructure, the County has hired over 112 ECDE instructors, with 80% of them already promoted to the next job group.

Over 4,000 seats and 1300 tables were sent to each of the 145 ECDEs across the county last financial year, together with KSh 5 million worth of teaching materials.

Witu ward MCA, Hon. Jonathan Mketa, Assistant County Commissioner, Emmanuel Koech, Area Chief, Simon Macharia, Mr. Athman Kheri, ECDE coordinator, Edwin Karanja, Quantity Surveyor, and Mr. Charles Murigi, Building Inspector were among those in attendance._

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For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at

info@lamu.go.ke