Archives April 2026

The Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project Phase Two, in partnership with the NYOTA Programme, has successfully completed a two day induction training for Social Emotional Skills Trainers in Lamu County.

The training, held at Lamu Youth Polytechnic, brought together selected trainers and assistant trainers under the Social Emotional Skills Training Programme.

The induction aimed to equip participants with the knowledge, practical skills, and tools required to effectively deliver social emotional learning sessions to youth beneficiaries across KISIP 2 implementation sites in Witu, Mokowe, Matondoni, Wiyoni, and Faza.

Organized by the KISIP 2 National Team, the NYOTA Project Management Unit (PMU), and the KISIP County Team, the training also included participation from Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) members and Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) chairpersons from the targeted settlements.

The sessions were led by Christine Flora Wanjira, Deputy Director for Youth Development under the NYOTA Programme, who also issued training tools and materials to the trainers and assistant trainers.

The Social Emotional Skills Training Programme forms part of ongoing efforts under KISIP 2 to strengthen youth capacity, support personal development, and enhance community resilience across informal settlements in Lamu County.

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For more information, contact:Communications Office

Email: communication@lamu.go.ke

The Deputy Governor of Lamu County, H.E. Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj, today engaged bodaboda riders

in Mokowe and Mpeketoni towns during a sensitization exercise on road safety and compliance with traffic regulations.

The outreach, conducted in collaboration with officials from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), aimed to promote responsible riding practices and enhance safety among motorcycle operators across the county.

Speaking during the interaction, the Deputy Governor encouraged riders to form or join cooperatives, noting that such groups would enable them to access financial support, training opportunities, and other resources that can improve their livelihoods.

Dr. Bahajaj, emphasized that cooperative membership also gives riders a stronger collective voice when engaging stakeholders and pursuing economic empowerment opportunities.

In an encouraging gesture during the impromptu visit, the Deputy Governor distributed free reflector jackets to bodaboda riders, courtesy of the NTSA.

The reflective gear is expected to enhance rider visibility on the roads, particularly at night, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

The sensitization exercise forms part of ongoing efforts by the County Government and national agencies to promote road safety awareness and support the bodaboda sector, which plays a vital role in local transport and economic activities within Lamu County.

Also in attendance was the Head of Disaster and Emergency Response Unit, Mr. Iftikhar Majid, alongside other county and national government officials.

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

The Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project Phase Two (KISIP 2) in partnership with the NYOTA Programme has conducted an induction training for trainers and assistant trainers under the Social Emotional Skills Training Programme at Lamu Youth Polytechnic.

The induction aimed to equip selected trainers and assistant trainers with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for the effective delivery of social emotional learning sessions to youth beneficiaries enrolled under KISIP 2 implementing sites in Witu, Mokowe, Matondoni, Wiyoni, and Faza.

The training, organized by the KISIP 2 National Team, NYOTA Project Management Unit (PMU), and the KISIP County Team, also brought together Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) members and Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) chairpersons from the respective settlements.

In her opening remarks, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Hon. Tashrifa Bakari, urged trainers and their assistants to take the training seriously and use the opportunity to empower fellow youth within their communities.

She further encouraged young people not to shy away from opportunities, noting that Lamu County presents numerous opportunities that youth should actively explore for personal growth and development.

The Social Emotional Skills Training Programme is part of ongoing efforts under KISIP 2 to strengthen youth capacity, promote personal development, and enhance community resilience across informal settlements in Lamu County.

The induction was also attended by Chief Officer for Lands Ahmed Ali, County KISIP 2 Project Coordinator Architect Omar Sagaff, Environmental Safeguard Officer Gabriel Ngige, among other county officials.

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For more information, contact:

Communications Office

Email: communication@lamu.go.ke

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW has overseen the disbursement of over Ksh 12 million in inclusion grants under the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP) to cooperatives and SACCOs across six wards in Lamu West, marking a major milestone in the county’s efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity and resilience.

The phase one rollout was conducted through engagements in Witu Ward, targeting grassroots agricultural institutions to enhance their capacity and service delivery.

The final disbursement took place in Witu Ward, where a total of Ksh 3.1 million was issued to four beneficiary institutions, including three cooperatives and one SACCO, to support their operations and expand agricultural activities.

Speaking during the engagements, Governor Timamy said his administration remains focused on strengthening grassroots economic structures through practical investments that directly benefit farmers.

“Our priority is to build strong and sustainable farmer institutions that can drive food security, improve incomes, and transform livelihoods across Lamu County,” said Governor Timamy.

Agriculture CECM Hon. James Gichu emphasized the importance of organization and registration among farmers to ensure effective access to government support programmes.

“We encourage farmers to organize themselves into formal groups. This is the surest way of accessing structured government support and unlocking opportunities that improve productivity and sustainability,” said the CECM.

The events were attended by Hon. Julius Ndegwa, Ward Administrators from Hongwe and Bahari wards, Project Coordinator Mr. Mbuvi, Chief of Staff Mr. Abdulnasir Issa, and other county officials.

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

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW presided over the disbursement of Ksh 6.2 million in inclusion grants under the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP) to cooperatives and SACCOs across Hongwe, Bahari and Mkunumbi wards, during an event held at Mpeketoni ATC on Tuesday afternoon.

The phase one rollout brought together beneficiaries and county officials, marking a significant step in strengthening agricultural productivity and resilience within the three wards.

Cooperatives benefited from grants of Ksh 700,000 each to support their operations, while SACCOs received Ksh 1 million each to enhance their capacity and extend services to members.

Speaking during the event, Governor Timamy reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering organized farmer institutions, noting that such investments are key to improving food security and livelihoods across Lamu West.

Agriculture CECM Hon. James Gichu urged farmers to formally register, emphasizing that structured and registered entities are better positioned to access government programmes and funding opportunities.

He noted that the current disbursement marks phase one of the programme, with phase two expected to roll out soon to benefit more groups across the county.

Among those present were Hon. Julius Ndegwa, Ward Administrators from Hongwe and Bahari wards, Project Coordinator Mr. Mbuvi, Chief of Staff Mr. Abdulnasir Issa, and other county officials.

The grants form part of a broader initiative targeting cooperatives and SACCOs to build a more resilient and sustainable food system.

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

Farmers in Lamu West have received a major boost following the disbursement of over Ksh 12.4 million in inclusion grants under the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP), aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity and resilience across the sub-county.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW presided over the issuance of the phase one grants to cooperatives and SACCOs in various wards. In Mkomani Ward, one cooperative received Ksh 700,000 to support its operations and enhance agricultural activities. In Hindi Ward, a cooperative group and SACCOs received a cumulative Ksh 1.7 million to expand their capacity and improve service delivery.

Speaking during the launch at Hindi Command center, Governor Timamy underscored the County Government’s commitment to empowering grassroots agricultural institutions, noting that the grants will play a key role in improving food security and livelihoods across Lamu West.

Agriculture CECM Hon. James Gichu urged farmers to formally register in order to benefit from government programmes, emphasizing that proper registration will enhance access to support and funding opportunities. He further noted that the current disbursement marks phase one of the programme, with phase two expected to roll out soon to reach more beneficiaries.

The event was also attended by Hon. Julius Ndegwa, Ward Administrators from Hongwe and Bahari wards, Project Coordinator Mr. Mbuvi, Chief of Staff Mr. Abdulnasir Issa, and other senior county officials.

The grants form part of a broader initiative targeting cooperatives and SACCOs to improve resilience within food systems.

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

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW on Monday presided over the launch of a major fisheries support initiative aimed at boosting livelihoods and promoting sustainable fishing along the county’s coastline.

The programme, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the Nairobi Convention under the SWIOFC–Nairobi Convention Project, has intensified support to local fishers through modern gear and capacity building.

Speaking during a high-level ceremony at the Lamu Maritime and Innovation Centre, the governor said the initiative will strengthen the county’s blue economy while safeguarding marine ecosystems.

Key interventions include the deployment of five Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) in Pemba Ndogo, training on long-line fishing, and the adoption of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries.

At the event, beneficiaries received 10 outboard engines, 50 cooler boxes, four solar-powered freezers, and fishing gear to reduce post-harvest losses and improve incomes across Lamu County.

Governor Timamy reaffirmed his commitment to promoting the blue economy as a key driver of sustainable livelihoods in Lamu County.

County top officials attended the event.

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

Week two of the digital training programme at Mokowe Headquarter is underway, with youth from Mkomani Ward gaining practical skills for the digital economy.

Led by Huawei Consultancies in partnership with the County Department of ICT and related sectors, the initiative aims to tackle youth unemployment and bridge the digital skills gap in rural areas.

Participants are being equipped for online work, entrepreneurship, and remote jobs, with many viewing the programme as a key step toward economic empowerment.

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For more information, contact:

Communications Office

Email: communication@lamu.go.ke

Sixteen self help groups from Bahari, Hongwe, Mkunumbi, and Witu wards in Lamu West Sub County are set to scale up their climate smart enterprises after receiving additional funding under the Nature Based Solutions (NBS) programme.

The groups, which have been implementing projects such as beekeeping, tree nurseries, mangrove restoration, and sustainable fishing, were awarded a second tranche of KES 100,000 during a dummy cheque handover ceremony held in Mpeketoni.

This brings the total disbursement to KES 3.2 million.

Through the initiative, the beneficiaries have undergone training in small business development and successfully developed enterprise plans aligned with environmental conservation.

The groups were praised for adopting the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model, strengthening financial inclusion and resilience at the grassroots level.

Speaking during the ceremony, CECM Climate Change,ICT, Public Participation and Ea Government, Aisha Shariff, reaffirmed its support for initiatives that integrate climate action, innovation, and community empowerment.

She encourage the benefisheries to continue working together, remain accountable, and expand their impact as champions of climate action in their communities.

Partners behind the programme, including the Kenya Red Cross, World Wide Fund for Nature, and PPL Rotary, were commended for their collaboration in driving sustainable change.

Meanwhile, Kenya Red cross Society Head Region, Mohamed Abdikadir cautioned residents living in low lying areas to move to higher ground and maintain proper hygiene as heavy rains are expected.

Among those present were Mohamed Rajab, Lamu CoAbdulhakim Abdu, Noor Dahir, and Nassir Abubakar, among other stakeholders.

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For more information, contact:

Communications Office

Email: communication@lamu.go.ke

Lamu Deputy Governor Dr. Mbarak M. Bahjaj today joined Early Childhood Development (ECD) teachers from Lamu Central during a workshop held at Lamu Boys Secondary School, aimed at improving classroom practices and enhancing the preschool learning environment.

Speaking during the session, Dr. Bahjaj applauded the teachers for their critical role in shaping the lives of young learners. He noted that ECD teachers serve as a vital second line of support for children, helping to nurture discipline and values at an early stage.

He added that a strong foundation in early education plays a key role in protecting future generations from societal challenges such as drug abuse and other negative influences.

The Deputy Governor also updated participants on ongoing development initiatives being implemented under Governor Issa Timamy’s administration. He revealed that the county government is currently undertaking the construction of more than 20 new ECD classrooms and playgrounds across different wards. In addition, he announced that learning materials will be distributed to schools starting next week to further support effective teaching and learning.

The workshop, which brought together teachers from Lamu Central, is supported by the Madrasa Early Childhood Program – Kenya, an affiliate of the Aga Khan Foundation. The programme focuses on strengthening early childhood education through capacity building and improved learning environments.

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