Archives April 2026

Residents of Witu are set to benefit from improved connectivity following the official site handover of Dide Waride Road and Moa Nagele Roads, marking a significant step in Lamu County’s ongoing infrastructure development agenda.

The handover, led by the County Department of Infrastructure, was met with excitement from members of the local community, many of whom have long grappled with poor road access. The project is expected to ease movement, enhance economic activity, and improve service delivery in the area.

Speaking after the exercise, Lands, Infrastructure and Urban Development CECM Hon. Tashrifa Mohamed noted that the initiative reflects the county’s commitment to addressing long-standing accessibility challenges in Witu and its environs.

“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for residents of Witu. For years, these communities have faced difficulties accessing essential services due to poor road networks. The opening and improvement of these roads will significantly change that,” she said.

Hon. Tashrifa commended the technical team, led by Chief Officer Alex, for their professionalism and dedication in ensuring the project reaches implementation stage.

The development forms part of a broader infrastructure transformation spearheaded by Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, whose administration has prioritized the expansion and maintenance of road networks across the county.

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

A significant milestone in the advancement of public health and sanitation was achieved today as 15 villages in Hindi Ward were officially declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). The event, presided over by H.E. Deputy Governor Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj, marked a major step forward in improving hygiene standards and safeguarding community health.

The celebrations, held at Roka Kibiboni Primary School, brought together residents, public health officials, and development partners in a show of collective achievement and commitment to a healthier future.

Attaining ODF status means that all households in the 15 villages now have access to and consistently use proper sanitation facilities, effectively eliminating open defecation. This achievement is expected to significantly reduce the prevalence of sanitation-related diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea, which have long posed health risks in many rural communities.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Bahjaj commended the residents for embracing behavioral change and prioritizing hygiene, noting that community participation was key to the success of the initiative. He emphasized the County Government’s commitment to sustaining the gains and expanding similar programs to other areas.

Special recognition was given to Community Health Promoters (CHPs) for their dedication and tireless efforts in spearheading the initiative at the grassroots level. Their consistent community engagement, awareness campaigns, and follow-ups played a critical role in driving behavioral change and ensuring households adopted and maintained proper sanitation practices.

The milestone was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the County Department of Public Health, working closely with partners including the Kenya Red Cross Society and Water Fund. Their support ranged from community sensitization and training to technical assistance and resource mobilization.

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

Youth from Mkomani Ward are gaining valuable skills through a digital training programme designed to prepare them for employment in the fast growing digital economy.

The initiative, spearheaded by Huawei Consultancies through the department of climate change, ICT, public participation and e government marks a significant milestone in tackling youth unemployment and bridging the digital literacy gap in rural Kenya.

By equipping young people with practical digital skills, the programme aims to open up new opportunities in online work, entrepreneurship, and remote employment.

During a visit to the training facilities at Mokowe Headquarters, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Climate Change, ICT, Public Participation, and E-Government, Aisha Shariff, commended the initiative and encouraged participants to fully embrace the opportunity.

She emphasized the importance of digital skills in today’s job market and urged the youth to remain committed and innovative as they prepare for future careers.

The programme has attracted a growing number of young participants from the ward, many of whom see it as a pathway to economic empowerment.

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For more information, contact:

Communications Office

Email: communication@lamu.go.ke

The County Government of Lamu, in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society, has convened a three day stakeholders’ workshop aimed at developing a Policy Brief on Climate Change Action for the county.

The workshop, held at the Red Cross Conference Hall in Hindi, was officially opened by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Climate Change, ICT, Public Participation and E-Government, Aisha Shariff.

Speaking during the opening session, Shariff emphasized that climate change continues to pose serious challenges to communities, ecosystems, and livelihoods across Lamu County.

She noted that changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, flooding, and environmental degradation are already affecting several parts of the county.

She commended the Kenya Red Cross Society, Lamu County and its partners for organizing the timely engagement, noting that the development of a policy brief will provide an opportunity to consolidate knowledge, share experiences, and propose practical solutions to strengthen climate resilience.

Shariff highlighted the importance of integrating Nature Based Solutions into climate change planning and disaster risk management, describing them as sustainable approaches that help restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and enhance community resilience while addressing climate risks.

The CECM reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to strengthening climate governance through participatory approaches, evidence based decision making, and strategic partnerships.

She cited ongoing environmental initiatives, including restoration efforts around Lake Kenyatta, as evidence of the county’s dedication to protecting natural resources.

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For more information, contact:

Communications Office

Email: communication@lamu.go.ke

The Municipality of Lamu Island has officially launched a Bodaboda Registration and Identification Issuance Exercise aimed at enhancing security, improving order, and strengthening regulation of motorcycle transport within the historic town.

The event, held at Lamu Polytechnic Hall, was officially launched by Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj, who was accompanied by senior county officials, officers from the National Police Service, and leaders from the Lamu Bodaboda Association.

Speaking during the launch, the Deputy Governor emphasized that the registration exercise is a critical step toward improving safety and restoring public confidence in the bodaboda transport sector, particularly within the busy heritage zones of Lamu Town.

The ongoing exercise focuses on issuing official photo identification cards to riders who had previously registered with the County Government, while also providing an opportunity for unregistered operators to enroll in the County database.

Further the Deputy Governor, noted that the introduction of official rider IDs and compliance stickers will help enhance security by making it easier to identify legitimate operators, thereby reducing crime risks and improving safety for residents and tourists visiting the historic island.

Additionally, the initiative is expected to improve accountability within the bodaboda sector by linking each rider to a recognized stage, strengthening discipline, and enhancing service standards.

Registered riders will also benefit from access to County empowerment opportunities, including training programs, loans, and insurance schemes.

The registration and ID issuance exercise will continue daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lamu Municipal Hall, including weekends, and is scheduled to conclude on May 4, 2026.

Authorities have warned that after the deadline, only riders with official County identification cards and compliance stickers will be permitted to operate within Lamu Island.

Joint enforcement operations involving County Inspectorate officers and Traffic Police will begin immediately after the closure of the registration period.

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For more information, contact:

Communications Office

Email: communication@lamu.go.ke

Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy on Saturday officially launched the Governor’s Cup tournament in Faza Ward, bringing together teams from all 10 wards across the county in a vibrant celebration of football and unity.

The tournament marks the first time the Governor’s Cup is being hosted in Lamu East, a significant milestone in promoting inclusivity and expanding access to grassroots sports. The tournament, which brings together teams from all 10 wards in Lamu County, is anchored on the Governor’s vision of identifying and nurturing grassroots talent.

Host ward Faza has fielded two teams, while last year’s champions Witu have also been granted two slots to defend their title.

Participating teams are playing their matches in Kizingitini, Faza, Tchundwa, and Siyu, ensuring broad community participation and engagement across the region.

Speaking during the launch, Governor Timamy emphasized the importance of sports in promoting youth empowerment, talent development, and social cohesion. He noted that initiatives like the Governor’s Cup provide a platform for young people to showcase their skills while steering them away from negative influences.

The competition structure saw the knockout phase played on Saturday, with the semi-finals and final matches being held today, Sunday.

All final matches are taking place at Faza Secondary School grounds. The winning team will walk away with a grand prize of Ksh 500,000, highlighting the county government’s commitment to investing in grassroots sports.

Sports CECM Sebastian Owanga was present during the launch, together with Chief of Staff Abdulnasir Issa, underscoring the county leadership’s support for youth-focused initiatives.

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

The County Government of Lamu has successfully concluded a series of public participation forums aimed at restoring Lake Kenyatta, one of the key freshwater resources in Lamu West, ahead of the upcoming planting exercise.

The final forum was held for residents of the Lake Amu area in Mpeketoni, marking the conclusion of the community engagement phase of the restoration initiative.

The CECM for Climate Change, ICT, Public Participation and E-Government Aisha Shariffr and Chief Off, Mohamed Dirie, led the public awareness session, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in restoring the lake.

The meetings were organized to create awareness among residents about the ongoing restoration efforts and to gather community views on sustainable solutions for reviving the lake.

The forums aimed to actively engage residents and stakeholders in discussions on practical and sustainable approaches to restore the lake and protect its ecosystem.

Through a partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Lamu County has embarked on a journey to restore Lake Kenyatta, which has experienced significant drying over the years.

The decline of the lake has largely been attributed to human activities that have interfered with natural water channels and surrounding ecosystems.

The ongoing engagements are also expected to provide a clear way forward on how Nature-based Solutions can be integrated into the lake restoration initiative to enhance conservation and environmental sustainability.

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

The County Government of Lamu has continued with public participation forums aimed at restoring Lake Kenyatta, one of the key freshwater resources in Lamu West.

On the second day of the engagements, forums were held in Bomani and Lumshi areas, bringing together residents and stakeholders to deliberate on the ongoing restoration efforts.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Climate Change, ICT, Public Participation and E-Government, Aisha Shariff, led the public awareness sessions, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in restoring the lake.

The meetings were organized to create awareness among residents about the ongoing restoration initiatives and to gather community views on sustainable solutions for reviving the lake.

The forums aim to actively engage residents and stakeholders in discussions on practical and sustainable approaches to restore the lake and protect its ecosystem.

Through a partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Lamu County has embarked on a journey to restore Lake Kenyatta, which has experienced significant drying over the years.

The decline of the lake has largely been attributed to human activities that have interfered with natural water channels and surrounding ecosystems.

The ongoing engagements are also expected to provide a way forward on how Nature-based Solutions can be integrated into the lake restoration initiative to enhance conservation and environmental sustainability.

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

The Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project Phase II (KISIP II) in Lamu today hosted environmental and social safeguards experts from the national level for a key screening exercise in Mokowe aimed at strengthening compliance and sustainability of planned infrastructure works.

The team was led by Environmental Safeguards Specialist Maurice Asamwa from the National Coordination and Project Team (NCPT), accompanied by Ms. Beatrice Githinji, an independent consultant supporting NCPT on safeguards.

The exercise follows the descoping of the Kiunga infrastructure works after concerns were raised by the World Bank regarding the security situation in the area.

The Environmental and Social Screening conducted in Mokowe marks a critical initial step in the environmental and social assessment process.

It provides a structured roadmap to guide the development and implementation of appropriate safeguards for the proposed extended infrastructure works in Mokowe.

The national team was joined by members of the County Project Coordination Team (CPCT) led by Coordinator Architect Omar Sagaff, together with project safeguards officers, as well as representatives from the Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) and the Grievance Redress Committee (GRC).

Following the Mokowe exercise, the team proceeded to Witu and Matondoni for a monitoring assessment of ongoing and completed project interventions under KISIP II.

The visits enabled the team to evaluate project progress, ensure adherence to environmental and social safeguards, and engage local stakeholders on project impacts and long-term sustainability.

The assessment exercise highlights KISIP II’s continued commitment to inclusive, safe, and environmentally responsible urban development, while strengthening collaboration between national and county teams and ensuring community participation in project implementation.

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The County Government of Lamu has kicked off a series of public participation forums aimed at restoring Lake Kenyatta, one of the key freshwater resources in Lamu West.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Climate Change, ICT, Public Participation and E-Government, Aisha Shariff, led the public awareness forums held at Pangani,Timboni and Mavuno villages.

The meetings were organized to create awareness among residents about the ongoing restoration efforts and to gather community views on sustainable solutions for reviving the lake.

The forums aim to actively engage residents and stakeholders in discussions on practical and sustainable approaches to restore the lake and protect its ecosystem.

Through a partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Lamu County has embarked on a journey to restore Lake Kenyatta, which has experienced significant drying over the years.

The decline of the lake has largely been attributed to human activities that have interfered with natural water channels and surrounding ecosystems.

CECM Aisha, noted that continued public engagement will play a key role in identifying long-term solutions to restore the lake’s water levels and ecological balance.

The ongoing engagements are also expected to provide a way forward on how Nature-based Solutions can be integrated into the lake restoration initiative to enhance conservation and environmental sustainability.

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For more information, contact:

Communications Office

Email: communication@lamu.go.ke