In a bid to combat the rising challenges of drug abuse and mental health issues in Lamu County, stakeholders have called for a collaborative strategy to address these critical concerns.

The call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement held earlier today, which brought together key players from various sectors including government officials, mental health experts, community leaders, and civil society organizations.

During the forum, mental health experts urged the County Government of Lamu to prioritize mental health in its development planning.

They specifically called for the inclusion of mental health initiatives in the Lamu County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

“Mental health is a crucial yet under-addressed issue in Lamu County, a collaborative approach can foster positive change and create lasting solutions to the challenges our communities face.” said one of the presenters at the event.

Participants at the meeting acknowledged that the high rates of drug abuse in the county have exacerbated mental health problems, with many individuals struggling to access the support they need.

They emphasized that improving mental health services, raising awareness, and integrating mental health support into the broader development framework are essential steps toward addressing the issue.

The forum concluded with a strong call for action from all stakeholders to work together, leveraging their resources and expertise to drive a meaningful impact in tackling both drug abuse and mental health challenges in Lamu County.

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For more information, contact the communication office at communication@lamu.go.ke.

On Sunday H. E Governor Issa Timamy EGH joined H.E Mrs. Tessy Musalia Mudavadi and other first ladies to celebrate WORLD PREMATURITY DAY in a colorful event at the Malindi Sub-county Hospital.

The event, themed OKOA MALAIKA is an initiative of Ushiriki Wema and Mudavadi Memorial Foundations that aims at creating awareness and support towards preterm babies in Kenya.

In their speeches, both the Governor and first lady Dr. Hajara Elbusaidy underpinned the importance of care for preterm babies who form over 4% of live births across the Coast region and contribute a significant percentage of childhood mortalities.

He also expressed his commitment towards improving the neonatal and perinatal mortality indicators in Lamu County from the current 26/1000 Live births to the SDG target of 12/1000 Live births, through various interventions which include operationalization of new Newborn Units at Mpeketoni and Mokowe Sub-county hospitals recently.

The Governor thanked H.E Tessy Mudavadi for the donation of 2 neonatal incubators which he assured the donors would be put to good use and care by the County Government of Lamu.

Also present were the County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas, CECM Health services Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj, Chief of Staff Abdulnassir Issa, Nominated MCA Hon. Ahmed Medo among others.

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For more information, contact

Communication office at; Communication@lamu.go.ke

99 Casual workers at the port of Lamu on Saturday expressed their happiness and gratitude to Lamu Governor Issa Timany EGH, OGW for his efforts towards ensuring their employment terms are translated from contract to permanent and pensionable terms.

The indigenous dockers drawn from Lamu whose fate was in limbo at the port of Lamu following reports that they would be retrenched, met the Governor in Mombasa to express their gratitude for fulfilling his promise that all youths employed by LAPSSET from Lamu on a contract basis would not be fired and instead their terms would be translated to permanent basis. The gleeful dockers further said they were happy because their translation of terms guarantees them job and emotional stability which they lacked on contract basis.

The Governor encouraged the youths to discharge their duties diligently and remarked that their success plays a pivotal role in making Lamu port fully operational where thousands of direct jobs will be available for the locals and subsequently unlocking Lamu’s economic potential.

On the other hand, nominated MCA Hon. Medo underscored that for the Lamu Port project to be successful, locals need to be first in line in terms of opportunities for jobs and business. He further lauded the governor’s move to ensure the dockers are employed on permanent terms, citing that indirect jobs and services in line with the port operations will spur development across the region.

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For more information contact

Communication office at; communication@lamu.go.ke

The Department of Energy in Lamu County has announced a renewed focus on maintaining streetlights across the county, with particular emphasis on both KPLC-powered and solar-powered lights.

This initiative, which aims to enhance public safety and reduce energy costs, comes as part of a broader commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

The move to prioritize solar-powered streetlights is seen as a strategic response to frequent power outages in the area, with solar lights providing reliable illumination even during electrical blackouts.

Additionally, these solar solutions are expected to reduce the county’s dependence on grid power, contributing to lower electricity bills while promoting environmental sustainability.

“Today, we successfully completed an inspection of all streetlights at Kizingitini, ensuring they are functional and in good condition,” CECM Lands Tashrifa Bakari noted.

Local residents have expressed appreciation for the efforts, noting that brighter streets contribute to improved security, particularly in remote areas.

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For more information, contact the communication office at communication@lamu.go.ke

The three-day training for Facility In-Charge on Health Facilities Management and SHA Optimization, organized by the Council of Governors, concluded today.

During his closing remarks, CECM Health Dr. Mbarak Bahajaj expressed his gratitude to both the organizers and participants.

He urged them to apply the knowledge gained during the workshop in their daily operations.

“It is my sincere hope this will not be treated as just another routine. This is a practical workshop, and whatever you have learned, I trust you will put it into practice,” Dr. Bahajaj emphasized.

He also highlighted the importance of FIF (Facility Improvement Fund) and SHA (Strategic Health Areas) as key solutions for healthcare financing and effective health management, especially in counties facing resource limitations.

Despite the challenges, he stressed that these two strategies are critical in improving healthcare delivery and sustainability.

In attendance was Chief Officer Dr. Victor Tole, COG Representative George Wafula , Regional SHA Elias Omar,AMREF Representative Rose Betty and Researcher KWTRP Diana Moraa among others.

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For more information, contact the communication office at communication@lamu.go.ke

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW has underscored the enormous opportunities from coastal counties’ blue economy at the world urban forum networking session on local actions for sustainable development of Kenya’s coastal counties’ blue economy.

While speaking on behalf of Kenya’s coastal communities, Governor Timamy emphasized that coastal counties hold tremendous resources from the diverse ecosystems and remain committed to advancing sustainable development by tapping into the resources of the Indian Ocean that supports the livelihoods of millions of people.

“Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, Taita Taveta, and Tana River counties have embarked on a journey under the Go Blue Project that is deeply rooted in the integration of land-sea planning. This innovative approach is crucial as we balance our urbanization agenda with the urgent need to preserve the coastal biodiversity that forms the bedrock of our economies and our communities.” said Governor Timamy.

The Governor further noted that with the increasing population there is need for proper planning to avert challenges that might be brought about by communities that rely on these natural resources. Towards ensuring sustainable development under Go Blue, Lamu County has adopted community-led solutions where the county empowers local communities with knowledge of coastal resource management to create solutions that are relevant and are sustainable in the long term.

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For more information contact

Communication office at; communication@lamu.go.ke

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW, has reiterated his government’s commitment and unwavering resolve to position Lamu as a tourism destination hub in the region and also establish a favourable business environment that will attract and retain both local and foreign investors in the county.

The governor, while giving the assurance during the Northern Kenya Investment Forum in Nairobi, wowed tens of investors in attendance to invest in the tourism sector, adding that it has so many unexploited opportunities.

“Lamu County is a gem in our nation’s tourism crown and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts of an unparalleled blend of historical significance and natural beauty. Today, we embark on a journey to unveil these untapped tourism opportunities and showcase Northern Kenya as an investable and attractive destination for travellers seeking authentic experiences,” said the governor.

The Governor later chaired a panel discussion titled “Exploring Northern Kenya’s Tourism Potential: Hidden Gems of Northern Kenya,” where they shared insights, identified innovative strategies, and discussed possible collaborations on how to develop our tourism offerings.

The investment forum, which was last held in Lamu County, focuses on sustainable development and transformative growth in the northern region through strategic investment, innovation, and partnerships.

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For more information, contact

Communication office at Communication@lamu.go.ke

In a significant step towards realization of the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP2), a consultative meeting was held today, which brought together the contractor, consultant and the CPCT team.

The meeting aimed to align project objectives, discuss progress, and address any challenges faced in the implementation of KISIP2 initiatives.

During the meeting which was chaired by CECM Land Tashrifa Bakari, the team reviewed current project timelines, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and sustainable development practices.

The contractor shared updates on ongoing construction efforts, highlighting successful progress and areas needing additional support to be addressed.

Mrs. Bakari, reiterated the Governor Issa TIMAMY commitment in ensuring that the project meets its goals of improving living conditions in informal settlements while fostering collaboration with local stakeholders including Settlements Executive Committee and Grievance Redress Committee.

Together agreed to regular follow-ups to monitor progress and enhance communication among CPCT team, consultant and contractor.

In attendance was Chief Officer Lands Ahmed Loo, County Project Coordinator Architecture. Omar Sagaff, Chief Officer Infrastructure Alex Jimbi among others.

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For more information, contact the communication office at communication@lamu.go.ke.