The Lamu County Directorate of Livestock-Veterinary Services started a seven-day rabies vaccination campaign in Witu, Hongwe, Baharini, Mkunumbi, Hindi, Faza, Mkomani, Shella, and Kiunga wards this week. As part of the initiative, dogs and cats will be vaccinated against rabies.

The exercise was necessary, according to Livestock Chief Officer Dr. Charles Gichohi, because the viral disease was suspected to have spread to domestic animals during the prolonged drought that led to infiltration of wild animals to human population areas in quest of water.

“At least 6,000 dogs and cats will be vaccinated against the fatal rabies virus as part of the campaign’s goal.I also ask the public to collaborate during this week-long campaign, which began on Monday, in order to achieve a successful and seamless campaign and vaccination exercise,” Dr. Gichohi stated.

H.E Fahim Twaha, has also lauded members of the public who have already presented their cats and dogs for vaccination, noting that rabies is more prevalent in rural areas since dogs and cats are allowed to roam freely in search of food. These dogs and cats are unlikely to be vaccinated on time since they rarely receive veterinary treatment.

According to the World Health Organization, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to people in up to 99 percent of cases. However, rabies can infect both domestic and wild animals, and it is transmitted to humans and animals by bites or scratches, with saliva being the most common mode of transmission.

The Rabies virus attacks the brain and is 100% lethal once symptoms show. Fever, headache, excessive salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis, and mental confusion are among the virus’s symptoms, which are followed by coma and death within 14 days.

Children under the age of 15 account for 40% of those bitten by suspected rabid animals.

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Story by: Abdalla Simba

For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

The Lamu County executive has presented five bills and policies for approval to the Lamu County Assembly members. The policy documents include;

-Lamu county Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) bill

-Lamu county peace building and conflict management bill

-Lamu county peace building and conflict management policy

-Lamu county Monitoring and evaluation policy

-Lamu county public participation and civic education policy.

The handing over of the policy documents is a culmination of a rigorous process that started in 2020 between Lamu County Executive in collaboration with USAID Kuza to support policies that will improve governance, economic environment, and investment activities in Lamu .

The partnership revolved around policy development, research, negotiation, and public participation by government and non-government officials representing women, youth, and the private sector, as well as policy finalization and eventual ratification by the County Executive Committee.

The Lamu County Assembly, led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Paul Kimani, has vowed to pass the documents before the Assembly’s dissolution ahead of the elections.

The policy documents were handed over in the presence of and the help of Lamu County’s partners under the USAID Kuza program led by Capacity Development Officer, Mr. John Githiaka and Lamu County Assembly Majority Leader, Abdalla Aboud.

The handing over event was organized by the County Executive through Director Shee Kupi, who also serves as the USAID focal point for Lamu County.

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For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

For the first time in history, young learners in Lamu East’s Shanga Rubu Village will soon be able to enjoy learning closer home, thanks to the County Government’s move to build new classrooms in the heart of their village.

Mr. Abdalla Ahmed Ali, Chief Officer Education and Vocational Training, earlier today led a team of officers from the Department of Education on an inspection visit of the Shanga Rubu ECDE, which is almost 90% complete.

CO Abdalla Ahmed, speaking during the inspection tour, emphasized the project’s relevance to the area’s youngest learners, who have in the past been forced to trek long distances through the bushy terrains to get to school.

“Our strategic goal has been to ensure that these young ones learn in a safe atmosphere and acquire quality education,” said Mr. Ahmed, “As part of quality control, we have also been hiring trained ECDE teachers, capacity building our teachers on Competency-Based-Curriculum, providing teaching aids, chairs, and tables among others.

“He termed Early Childhood Education as a key cog in Governor Fahim Twaha’s social transformation strategy for the County’s future generation of 4-5-year-olds. A total of 28 ECDEs have so far been built in the last four financial years, with seven more ongoing this year.

Beyond infrastructural development, the County has employed over 112 ECDE teachers, with 80% of them already promoted to the next job group. There are over 4,000 chairs and 1300 tables, as well as KSh 5 Million worth of learning resources sent to each of the 145 ECDEs across the county in the last financial year.

Athman Kheri, Education Coordinator, Athman Bwanaheri, Shanga Rubu Headman, and Engineers from the County Department of Public Works were in attendance.

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For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

Over 150 students from wards along the Boni Forest stretch, including Witu, Hongwe, Mkunumbi, Hindi, Kiunga, and Basuba, will receive specialized training on Counter Violence Extremism through Civilian and Millitary engagement/Partnership .

This is an initiative by The Center for Citizens in Conflict in collaboration with the Lamu County Government ; under a larger program to foster trust and confidence between civilians and military personnel in order to prevent, minimize, and remedy civilian harm in operation zones.

The Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) Millitary Advisor, Julius Minyori, said during a meeting held at the County offices in Mokowe that they will also be focusing on research to identify gaps in civilian/community safety along the Boni Forest stretch.

“Our objective is to engage with armed actors and civilians in conflict to create and implement ways to prevent, minimize, and respond to civilian suffering,”Julius Minyori explained,

John Okanga, CIVIC Community Engagement Manager, emphasized the necessity of military capacity building in civilian protection, as well as its role in fostering collaboration and information sharing.

“Civilians in the Boni Forest experience conflict in different ways depending on their gender, disability, age, and other factors. In order to dramatically minimize harm and improve protection outcomes, direct engagement between the Millitary and civilians is required “Mr. Okanga stated.

For years, terrorists have exploited the 517-square-mile Boni forest, which runs from Lamu and Garissa counties all the way to the Somalia border, as a hideout. Despite intensive security measures, the forest continues to be a headache for security specialists, disrupting and risking the lives of the residents living near the forest.

Similarly, there are plans to engage other players to take the Lamu County Enforcement officers through Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). An immersive security training designed to enhance their security and safety awareness and enable them to prevent and deal more effectively with risks, challenging situations and security incidents.

Phoebe Cherono, CIVIC Community Engagement Officer, was also present.

The Lamu County team was led by Director PSM Nahid Mousa, Director Disaster Management, Shee Kupi, Director Communication, Grace Mburu, Head of Enforcement among others .

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For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

Congratulations to all Lamu KCPE candidates for seeing your task through to the end. The journey has just began and special things await you in the days ahead.

I’d also like to acknowledge the efforts of parents, teachers, and other stakeholders in ensuring that our students successfully sat for their exam.

Through our Education Financing program, my administration remains committed to maintaining a 100% transition rate to secondary schools. As we prepare to send our children to secondary school, I am dedicated to ensuring that all students have equal access to Lamu County Bursary and Scholarship funds .

Kindly note;

1. All Students attaining 300 Marks in KCPE are eligible to full scholarship.

2) All students joining boarding secondary schools are eligible to 10,000 bursary.

3) Students joining day secondary schools are eligible to 6,000 bursary.

4) Students from the marginalized (Boni and Aweer) communities are eligible to full scholarships.

5) All university and college students are eligible to 20,000 (Degree Course), 15,000 (Diploma Course), 10,000 (Certificate Course) bursary.

6) Disabled students from special schools are eligible for Ksh. 10,000 Bursaries.

I am continuing with my quest to empower and transform the lives of the Lamu people through education .

God bless Lamu .

H.E Fahim Twaha

Governor Lamu County

Over 30 education stakeholders in Lamu County drawn from the Lamu County Government, the County Education Board, the Ministry of Education, the Teachers’ Service Commission, and the Agha Khan Foundation, have developed a County action plan addressing areas of education harmonization for implementation and collaboration between the players.

In a joint workshop held on the 26th and 27th March 2022 at the Lamu Vocational Training Center, the stakeholders agreed on an action plan for harmonizing education curricula from pre-primary, primary, secondary, and TVET institutions.

They deliberated on a variety of issues that would allow for consolidation and harmonization, in order to lay a firm foundation for providing high-quality education in Lamu County, that meets locally, regionally, and eventually international standards of excellence.

Among the important harmonization concerns addressed includes:

-Implementing sound management practices and accountability procedures to improve school management and accountability.

-Harmonization of Education Programs through: holding collective consultative meetings, collaborating in functions such as sports, holding common training, sharing resources/facilities; and maintaining an updated TSC data bank on teacher registration at all levels.

-Building teachers’ capacity to implement Competency

-Based Curriculum, Teacher Induction, Mentorship and Coaching as an alternative to disciplinary action by teachers, Remote Learning and Methodologies,

and International Public Sector Accounting Standards in Public Primary and Secondary Schools, among other things.

Chief Officer Education Mr Abdalla Ahmed detailed the county government’s roles and functions in ECDE and TVET, as well as the milestones and road map under Governor Fahim Twaha’s administration for enhanced educational quality and accessibility for all. He emphasized the significance of education harmonization, describing it as a driver for improved performance, equity, meritocracy, employability, economic growth, happiness, and long-term development.

The Workshop was sponsored by Aga Khan Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission and officially closed by the CECM, Education, Youth and Vocational Training, Hon Paul Thairu HSC.

In attendance was;

County Director TSC Madam Riziki, County Director of Education (MOE) Mr. Kaga, TSC Deputy County Director, Mr. Nichodemus Mbaluku, Agha Khan Foundation (AKF) Representatives/organisers,Mrs Zena Atik,Mrs Rahma Abdalla, Madam Mishi; County and Sub-County Directors of MOE, Representatives of the County Education Boards, Principal Education officers, County and Sub-CountFacilitators from KEPSHA and the Aga Khan Foundation, County and sub county Quality assurance and standards officers, Curriculum Support Officers, County and sub county TSC Human Resource officers, County and sub county adult education officers,County Commissioner’s Representative among others .

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For More Information Contact; Communications Office @info@lamu.go.ke

Governor Fahim Twaha joined other Muslim faithfuls in the first day of prayer and official opening of Masjid Nawal Mosque in Manda Airport Village, Shella Ward.

The Governor was accompanied by Ustadh Muhsin Said Ali, Mr. Aweso Hussein Shekue- Senior Chief Shella Manda, Lamu Municipal Manager Mr. Omar Famau, and others.

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For more information contact;

Communications office @info@lamu.go.ke

Lamu County Government, in partnership with USAID KUZA, has formally unveiled its first Disaster Risk Management Policy (DRM), Act, and Implementation Framework, as well as two investment prospectuses, one for Fisheries and the other for Cotton value chains.

In accordance with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the DRM Policy describes Lamu County’s strategy for positioning itself as a strategic county for disaster risk reduction activities. A measure that will reinforce and legally enshrine response mechanisms in the County’s long-term development strategy.

Speaking when he officially launched the four policy documents, Governor Fahim Twaha emphasized the relevance of the DRM policy in disaster preparedness, coordination, and response .

“Every sectors’ function and obligations will be clarified thanks to the Disaster Act. Furthermore, by establishing a legal framework for all aspects of disaster risk management, it will aid in the coordination mechanisms including lowering the risk of readiness, response, and recovery, as well as facilitating downstream actions.” Governor Twaha said.

He went on to say that the new Cotton and Fisheries Investment Prospectus, on the other hand, will enable Lamu to strategically position itself in competitive markets, exposing its ability to expand and optimize its economic opportunities, spur investment, and create jobs for the Lamu people, citing Lamu’s proximity to the LAPSSET, availability of reliable power, and decent roads.

Ms Wyanie Bright, the Chief of Party for USAID KUZA, highlighted major areas of collaboration with the Lamu County Government, which is one of the ten Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), including:

-Support for an enabling policy environment

-Strengthening Lamu’s governance capacity

-Promote private sector investment

-Integrating the County’s monitoring and assessment systems.

“Lamu County Government has been a prize county among the 10 FCDC Counties; we have been able to work collaboratively and Co-created with Lamu County Policy Support, which would boost the economic environment and investment activities in Lamu,” Ms Bright said.

Mr. John Githiaka, a USAID KUZA capacity development advisor, described Lamu as a model county among the other 10 FCDC counties.

“Lamu is the first FCDC county in Kenya to introduce a DRM policy, Act, and Implementation Framework, as well as investment prospectus. This is a testament of the work the county team has been doing,” Mr Githiaka stated

Lamu County and USAID KUZA are also working together on three other policies that will be implemented soon, including:

– Monitoring and Evaluation Policy,

– The Peace Building and Conflict Management Policy

– The Public Participation and Civic Education Policy

The Governor thanked the several stakeholders that contributed to the formulation of the DRM policy and bill, including Red Cross, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Medical Association, Kenya Coast Guard, and IPSTC (International Peace Support Training Centre) Muhuri, among others.

Mr. Vicky Liyai, US Embassy USAID Representative, Ms Mary Onsongo, USAID KENYA(-East Africa) Program Specialist, Deputy Governor, Abdulhakim Bwana, CECM Finance, Abdu Godana, CECM Fisheries and Agriculture, Fahima Araphat, OGW, County Directors drawn from various departments, and other senior County Officials were in attendance.

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For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

Lamu County CECM Hon. Paul Thairu HSC, has been bestowed as a Member of The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (MStj) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a colorful event that was graced by St. Johns Priory of Kenya Patron, H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi.

The event which took place on 24th March 2022 at All Saints Cathedral, recognizes and awards deserving members of St. John who have demonstrated loyalty and service to the organisation. Entry to the order is by invitation only and is subject to the Queen’s approval which was granted and published In London Gazette on 20th of January 2022.

Lamu Governor H.E Fahim Twaha congratulated Hon. Thairu HSC, MStj for the outstanding recognition following his selfless volunteerism and service to humanity with St John Ambulance and for being among the 30 Kenyans who were recognised by the Queen of England for their service to humanity.

Hon. Thairu’s name who serves as Central Kenya Regional Commissioner has been published alongside his colleagues from Britain, Scotland, South Africa, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Barbados and Eswatini whose humanitarian activities also earned the Queen’s recognition, received his insignia from President Kenyatta which arrived from England.

The recognition has also earned him a space alongside other global icons known for their charitable activities through St John Ambulance including; former South African president Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Queen Noor of Jordan, Margaret Thatcher and some members of the British royal family.

Congratulations Hon. Paul Thairu HSC, MStj

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For more information contact;

Communications office at; info@lamu.go.ke

Residents of Dide Waride and Chalaluma will soon be able to access medical services closer to home, following Lamu County’s project transfer to awarded contractors.

The residents will benefit from the two new dispensaries, which will relieve them of long treks in search of health care. The two projects are part of Governor Fahim Twaha’s bigger agenda to improve access to primary health care for all Lamu County residents.

Dr. Ann Gathoni, the county government’s Health CECM, said during the handover ceremony at Dide Waride that the county government is committed to ensuring that all Lamu citizens have access to high-quality health care services right where they live .

“Once the health infrastructure in Chalaluma and Dide Waride is completed, the County Government will move forward with equipping them as well as assign health personnel to serve the residents,” she said.

Hon. Abdu Godana, CECM Finance, assured residents of Dide Waride and Chalaluma that once the dispensaries are finished, the county will ensure adequate staffing.

” The county government understands that health is a basic human right. That is why Governor Fahim Twaha’s administration is committed to ensuring the right to health for all Lamu residents, which means that everyone should have access to the health services they require, when and where they require them, without financial hardship, because we have already registered over 20,000 households under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF),” said Hon. Godana.

The construction works is expected to be completed before the end of the this financial year.

In attendance was Chief Officer Health Dr. Victor Tole among other senior County officials.

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For more information contact;

Communications office @ info@lamu.go.ke