County Government of Lamu

Archives August 2025

Happy with the progress of our *Kiunga Health Centre* projects following my inspection visit today.

The *RADIOLOGY UNIT* is *90%* complete while the *OPERATING THEATRE* is at *60%*

We are determined to have these two revolutionary projects operationalized before March 2026.

*Pregnant mothers* who require *C-section* (Operative birth) have to endure a grueling 4 – 6 hour journey to access these services at King Fahd Hospital.

Governor Timamy has prioritized the Kiunga HC projects as part of his efforts to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

I am also elated at the prospect of partnering with *Kenya Red Cross* to have a brand new *FEMALE WARD & NEW BORN UNIT* at Kiunga Health Centre.

I was accompanied by Kenya Red Cross Lamu Branch Coordinator Mr. Abdulhakim Abdul and members of our technical teams.

Dr. MBARAK M.SALIM BAHJAJ

DG/CECM Health

LAMU COUNTY CECMS SIGN PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS FOR 2025/2026 FINANCIAL YEAR

Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy today signed one-year performance contracts with County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) in a move aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency, and service delivery.

Speaking during the ceremony at the county headquarters in Mokowe, Governor Timamy said the contracts will align specific development priorities with budget allocations, ensuring the timely achievement of set goals.

“Performance contracting links our priorities to our budget, enabling us to deliver on projects and services that directly benefit our people,” Governor Timamy said.

The Governor further urged the CECMs and Chief Officers to work hard and ensure they deliver on their mandates, noting that the people of Lamu will be looking up to them for tangible results.

He added that the initiative will promote prudent use of county resources, resulting in tangible development gains, including the implementation and operationalization of key projects across the county.

Deputy Governor Designate Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj commended the exercise, noting it has brought clarity to priorities, strengthened planning, enhanced coordination, and provided residents with a clear way to track progress in service delivery.

The signing reaffirms the county leadership’s collective commitment to effective governance, citizen engagement, and measurable results.

Present were all County Executive Committee Members, County Secretary Ambassador Ali Abbas, and Chief Officers.

Ends

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

Deputy Governor Launches Personal Initiative to Establish Modern Libraries in Primary Schools

Lamu Deputy Governor Dr. Mbarak Bahajaj has unveiled an ambitious initiative to establish modern libraries in primary schools across the county, aiming to foster a strong reading culture and enhance literacy among young learners.

The program, championed by Dr. Bahajaj, will be implemented in partnership with school alumni, well-wishers, and other development stakeholders.

Several key community members have already stepped forward to support this initiative, including:

Dr. Bahsan Aidarus, a passionate education advocate.

Mr. Abdulkadir Mohamed (popularly known as Baggio), a committed community mobilizer.

Mr. Mwenye Zein, a former teacher at Lamu Primary School and respected education figure in the area among others.

The pilot phase is set to begin at Mahmoud Bin Fadhil Boys Primary School, Dr. Bahajaj’s former school where the first modern library will be established as a model for the wider rollout across the county.

Speaking at his office following a consultative meeting with the school’s headteacher and the Board of Management (BOM) , Dr. Bahajaj highlighted the urgent need to enhance literacy infrastructure at the grassroots level.

“There is an urgent need to equip our primary schools with modern libraries,” said Dr. Bahajaj. “We must instill a reading culture in our community, starting with our youngest learners. A well resourced library is a powerful tool for learning, innovation, and empowerment.

The modern libraries will feature a wide range of reading materials, digital learning tools, and other educational resources tailored to meet the developmental needs of primary school pupils.

The Deputy Governor also appealed to corporate sponsors, development partners, and community members to support the initiative, emphasizing the collective role in ensuring the program’s sustainability and growth.

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

DR. MBARAK BAHJAJ SWORN IN AS LAMU COUNTY DEPUTY GOVERNOR

H.E. Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj was on Thursday sworn in as the 4th Deputy Governor of Lamu County.

The 44-year-old medical doctor and technocrat took office today at the Mokowe County Headquarters in a ceremony marked by colour and pomp.

Dr. Mbarak becomes the first Deputy Governor in Lamu to assume office through a vote of the County Assembly. The position fell vacant in September 2024 following the demise of the third Deputy Governor, H.E. Raphael Munyua.

The oath of office was administered by Lady Justice Mugure Thande, together with Principal Magistrate Peter Wasike and Resident Magistrate Flavian Mulama.

In his acceptance speech, the Deputy Governor expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity, humbly stating that he was not the most qualified for the role and that there were many others more capable than him. He described the appointment as a challenge he fully embraces and pledged never to let down the people of Lamu.

Dr. Mbarak commended Governor Issa Timamy for his tremendous work in transforming Lamu and called upon all leaders to work together to deliver on the Governor’s development promise to the people. He assured his full support to Governor Timamy in achieving that goal, with a particular focus on improving healthcare by ensuring hospitals are fully equipped with modern facilities to provide affordable and accessible services to residents.

He further pledged to work closely with Governor Timamy to foster unity in Lamu County, urging residents to shun divisive politics — especially those driven by tribal, religious, or regional differences — for the sake of progress.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Lamu Governor H.E. Issa Timamy EGH, OGW, who congratulated his new Deputy Governor and affirmed their commitment to working together to deliver the county’s development agenda. Governor Timamy emphasized that there is no time for politics and that his administration will work tirelessly until the last day of their term. He also thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the event.

Other dignitaries present included Lamu East MP Hon. Ruweida, Matuga MP Hon. Kassim Tandaza, Speaker Hon. Azhar Ali, Shella MCA Hon. Atwaa, nominated MCA Hon. Medo, County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas, Chief of Staff Abdulnasir Issa, CECMs, CPSB Chairman Hon. Abdalla Fadhili, Chief Officers, and Assistant County Commissioner Charles Kitheka, among others.

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

Was honored to preside over and sponsor the inaugural *WEEKLY SWIMMING COMPETITION* in Lamu island, organized by *Amu Youth Swimming Club* , earlier today,10th Aug 2025.

The competition brought together youths from the ages of *10 to 20 years* and will take place every Sunday afternoon.

I congratulate the Winners today:

Junior Category:

1.Faswad

2.Fahad Abdul

3.Ali Abdallah.

Intermediate Category:

1.Mohammed Maulad

2.Fahad Amin

3.Mohammed Bwana mkuu.

Senior Category:

1.Famau Muhasha

2.Suheil

3.Namir Ali

I call upon all youths from Lamu to participate in this innovative venture which aims at _keeping them fit,_ protect them against vices such as _drug abuse_ as well as give them an _opportunity to make a career_ out of swimming.

Special thanks goes to Kenya Red Cross and Coast Guard for their support

I also wish to appreciate members of Amu Youth Swimming Club led by Mr. Hassan (Yaba) Baskut, Adam Bakari (museum) and Capt. Mohd Yussuf;

Moderators Ali Bwandumia & Baabad Miji among many others

I call upon *business owners and well-wishers* to come out and co-sponsor this activity and use it to advertise their businesses

Dr. MBARAK M. BAHJAJ

DG/CECM #005

LAMU COUNTY TURNS THE TIDE ON DRUG ABUSE WITH NEW BILL

Lamu County has made tremendous progress in controlling drug and substance abuse, and now plans to introduce a landmark law to further strengthen the fight by ensuring proper regulations are in place. The new legislation is expected to build on the county’s gains, including the enrolment of over 600 users at the King Fahd Hospital Methadone Clinic and more than 120 at the Faza MAT Clinic.

Speaking during a two-day multi-sector workshop to draft the Lamu County Drug and Substance Abuse Control Bill, Deputy Governor Dr. Mbarak, who also serves as the County Executive Committee Member for Health, said: “According to our county health reports, Lamu has made significant steps in the fight against drug abuse; however, more needs to be done to comprehensively address the issue”.

The proposed law will focus on reducing demand through awareness, education, and rehabilitation; cutting supply via stronger law enforcement and border control; and minimizing harm by expanding treatment, care, and reintegration for affected persons.

Governor Issa Timamy has pledged resources and political will to ensure the bill’s swift passage once tabled at the County Assembly.

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

Health CS Hon. Duale has lauded Lamu Governor Issa Timamy for revolutionizing healthcare in the county. Timamy is recognized among Kenya’s top governors, dedicated to ensuring residents access quality, affordable medical services. His leadership has significantly improved facilities, expanded services, and strengthened healthcare delivery for the people of Lamu.

#TimamyDelivers

Lamu County Wraps Up Staff Performance Appraisal Sensitization Forums

Lamu County Government has concluded a three-day sensitization series on the Staff Performance Appraisal System (SPAS), aimed at enhancing employee productivity and aligning individual performance with county development goals.

The forums, held across various sub-counties, were supported by the Kenya Devolution Support Programme Phase II (KDSP2).

The sensitization meetings brought together county employees and senior officials to deepen understanding of the appraisal system, which is used to evaluate the performance of public officers in line with the county’s service delivery targets.

Speaking during the forum, Chief Officer for Public Health and KDSP2 Coordinator, Mohamed Dirie, emphasized the importance of performance appraisal in promoting accountability, transparency, and employee well being.

“This system not only strengthens service delivery but also supports employee development by creating clear expectations and feedback mechanisms,” said Dirie.

The Staff Performance Appraisal System is a key performance management tool that helps cascade the objectives of the Performance Contract (PC) and actualize the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

County officials reaffirmed their commitment to institutionalizing performance based management as a way of improving governance and delivering on the county’s mandate to its citizens.

The sensitization forums are part of ongoing efforts by Lamu County to build a results oriented public service culture, supported through national and donor-funded initiatives such as KDSP2.

Also in attendance were Chief Officer for Trade, Tourism, and Culture Joyce Murimi, Deputy Director for Human Resource Management, Mr. Felix Katama, and other departmental heads.

-Ends-

For more information contact Communication office at

Communication@lamu.go.ke.

LAMU GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL TO RECEIVE MODERN DORMITORY FUNDED BY SAUDI INVESTOR

Lamu Girls Secondary School is set to benefit from a state-of-the-art dormitory, fully funded by a Saudi Arabian investor. A foundation stone for the project was officially laid during a ceremony attended by Governor H.E. Issa Timamy EGH, OGW, who was accompanied by the investor while launching a fruit processing plant in Mkunumbi Ward.

The investor made the commitment after Governor Timamy passionately appealed for support to address the severe congestion at the school caused by rising student enrolment. The Governor emphasized that limited boarding facilities were compromising the learning environment and urged for immediate intervention.

The new dormitory, which will have a capacity of 160 students, is expected to be completed within four months. It will significantly ease overcrowding and create a more conducive space for academic excellence.

Present during the event were County Secretary Ambassador Ali Abbas, Chief of Staff Abdulnassir Issa, Education CECM Hon. Sebastian Owanga, and several County Executive Committee Members. Also in attendance was Mr. Salim Bunu, Chairman of the Board of Management for Lamu Girls Secondary School, who welcomed the development with gratitude.

Governor Timamy reiterated his unwavering commitment to transforming the education sector in Lamu County. He noted that while his administration continues to attract investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and industry, education remains a top priority. He further called on more partners and investors to support learning institutions, affirming that investing in education is investing in the future of Lamu.

Ends.

For more information, contact: communication@lamu.go.ke

GOVERNOR TIMAMY JOINS SAUDI INVESTOR TO LAUNCH FRUIT PROCESSING PLANT IN LAMU

Lamu County has welcomed a major international investor from Saudi Arabia, who is set to establish a state-of-the-art fruit processing plant in Mkunumbi Ward. The project marks a significant milestone in the county’s economic development journey, offering a promising boost to the agricultural sector and creating job opportunities for locals.

The foundation stone for the facility was officially laid on Wednesday in a colorful ceremony attended by Lamu Governor H.E. Issa Timamy EGH, OGW, who described the project as a “game changer” for the region. The plant will provide a ready market for local farmers’ produce, including mangoes, oranges, melons, bananas, among others—adding value and opening access to export markets.

This investment is a direct result of Governor Timamy’s tireless efforts to market Lamu County to both local and international investors. From spearheading investment forums to holding high-level meetings with foreign stakeholders, the Governor has remained firmly committed to unlocking Lamu’s economic potential through strategic partnerships.

Governor Timamy has consistently prioritized sustainable economic growth, with a special focus on agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. His administration continues to create an enabling environment for investors through policy reforms, improved security, and community engagement. The Governor believes that harnessing Lamu’s natural resources and strategic location is key to transforming the livelihoods of its people.

Also present during the event were Chief of Staff Abdulnassir Issa, County Secretary Ali Abbas, and several CEC Members led by Agriculture CECM James Gichu. Speaking at the event, Gichu emphasized that Lamu will strive to produce the best quality fruits to meet both local and international market standards.

The Saudi investor confirmed that the fruit plant will employ Lamu locals, prioritizing youth and women in the recruitment process, thus contributing to poverty reduction and empowerment.

Lamu is indeed rising, thanks to Governor Timamy’s focused leadership.

For more information, contact the Lamu County Government Communication Office at: communication@lamu.go.ke

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