Faza Youth Action Group in Lamu County is celebrating a major environmental milestone after successfully restoring 24 acres of mangrove forest, thanks to funding from the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project.

Implemented through the Lamu County Government, the mangrove restoration initiative has empowered the group of 30 young members to take an active role in environmental conservation while creating meaningful livelihoods.

The project began two years ago and has since transformed the coastline near Faza. The group has established a thriving mangrove nursery, where they nurture seedlings before transplanting them to degraded areas.

Their efforts have contributed significantly to coastal restoration and climate change mitigation.“We are very happy because we now have a chance to conserve our environment and protect our future,” said a group representative.

“The mangroves not only help the ecosystem but have also given us something productive to do. As youth, we are now busy and engaged, and we are very grateful to KEMFSED.”

The support from KEMFSED and the Lamu County Government under Governor Issa Timamy has played a critical role in ensuring the project’s success. Through technical training, resources, and consistent follow-up, the initiative has built strong community ownership and environmental awareness among the youth.

The Faza Youth Action Group now serves as a model for community-led conservation and youth empowerment in the coastal region.

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

Kishada Self Help Group in Faza, Lamu County, has seen a major turnaround after receiving a grant from the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project to construct a boat yard.

The group, made up of local fishermen and boat makers, had long operated without a proper facility, working under harsh sun and rain that disrupted their business.According to Mwanasha Ali, a member of the group, the lack of a sheltered workspace led to delayed orders and loss of income.

“We used to work in the open. Now we can work even at night and finish client boats on time,” she said.

The project was made possible through the support of the Lamu County Government under Governor Issa Timamy, who played a key role in ensuring the community accessed KEMFSED funding and the project was implemented smoothly.

In addition to the construction of the boat yard, KEMFSED also built a modern toilet for the group, greatly improving hygiene and working conditions.Since the yard’s completion, the group has become more efficient and profitable. They now train young people in boat making, passing on vital skills and expanding job opportunities in the area.

“We were using traditional tools like hand drills. Now, we’ve grown, and the community benefits too,” Mwanasha noted.

This project is a clear example of how partnerships between communities, government, and development agencies can empower local livelihoods.

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

In Kizingitini village, Lamu East, a group of determined women has turned hardship into opportunity through innovation and teamwork. Once struggling to make ends meet by selling secondhand clothes and fish, the members of Al-Jazau Women Group are now running a successful water business — thanks to a KSh 3.9 million grant from the County Government of Lamu through the KEMSFED program.

Faced with the persistent challenge of water scarcity in their village, the women saw an opportunity. After receiving training and support through the grant program, they invested in a Jabia (rainwater harvesting and storage system) to provide clean water to the community — a resource both precious and profitable.”We are very grateful to Governor Issa Timamy for believing in us,” said Mrs. Shadya, the group’s chairlady.

“This project has changed our lives. We can now pay school fees for our children, support our families, and live with dignity — something we could barely do before.”

The group’s initiative is now serving dozens of households, and profits from water sales are being reinvested to expand their reach. Beyond business, the women are proud of their role in solving a real community need.

They have pledged to safeguard the project and continue working together to improve their lives and the welfare of Kizingitini.

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

Along the coastline of Kiwayu in Lamu East Sub-county, a quiet transformation is underway. Local fishermen, once burdened by outdated equipment and financial instability, are now experiencing renewed hope — thanks to grants from the County Government of Lamu through the KEMSFED project.

Launched four months ago by Governor Issa Timamy, EGH, OGW, the initiative supports small-scale fishermen with modern fishing gear, cold storage, and transport infrastructure.

The impact is already visible both at sea and onshore.”KEMFSED didn’t just give us freezers — they gave us power over our own future,” said Mr. Omar Famau Kijamba, Chair of the Kiwayu Fishermen Initiative group. “Before, we were forced to sell fish quickly and cheaply before it spoiled. Now, we store it, wait for better prices, and feed our families with dignity.”

The KEMFSED project includes a new landing site and a cold storage facility with a capacity of 1,500 kilograms. It has significantly improved the livelihoods of local fishermen, many of whom still rely on traditional methods despite the untapped potential of the fishing sector.

This support is not just about equipment — it’s about restoring dignity, increasing income, and building sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

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

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has commissioned the Kiwayu cha Ndani water project that will be sufficient to provide fresh water to all households in the village.

Speaking after commissioning this historic project that will ever be rememberedby the people of Kiwayu cha Ndani, the governor said the project aims to provide a reliable water supply to the area, addressing long-standing challenges of water scarcity that have existed since independence.

He further lauded the community for the partnership between the community and the county government of Lamu in implementing the project.

The UDA Deputy Party Leader, who is on a working tour in Lamu East, called on Lamu residents to support the administration of President Dr. William Ruto, saying his commitment to developing the country was unwavering.

The governor was accompanied by all CECMs, Chief Officers, County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas, CoS Mr. Abdulnasir Issa and nominated MCA Hon. Medo.

# LamuEastDevelopmentTour

#TimamyDelivers

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Communication office at Communication@lamu.go.ke

Fisheries activities in Kiwayu, Kiunga ward, received a major boost on Monday after the county government of Lamu gave them outboard engines to enhance their fishing activities.

Governor Issa Timamy and UDA Deputy Party Leader said the objective of the project is to improve fisheries as well as socio-economic development in Lamu, noting that his administration had laid down strategies aimed at improving performance in the fisheries sub-sector.

The Governor is in a week-long Lamu East development tour and is accompanied by top county government officials together with nominated MCA Hon. Medo.

# LamuEastDevelopmentTour

#TimamyDelivers

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Communication office at; Communication@lamu.go.ke

Small-scale fishermen from Mkokoni who work under difficult conditions have a reason to smile after Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW, gave them solar-powered freezers to preserve their fish harvest.

The freezers will go along way in helping fisherfolks in storing their fish since most of their catch goes into waste due to lack of power connection in Mkokoni as well as unavailability of ice.

Speaking in Mkokoni, the governor said the freezers will enable them to double fishing revenue by extending the shelf life of their catch.

This move is a clear manifestation of the governor’s commitment to empower rural communities in the fish value chain through offering the, affordable refrigeration.

The governor has been in Lamu East for a development tour and is accompanied by top county government officials and nominated MCA Hon. Medo.

# LamuEastDevelopmentTour

#TimamyDelivers

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Communication office at; Communication@lamu.go.ke

Deputy Party Leader UDA and Lamu Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW on Monday issued title deeds to Ndau residents as part of the county government’s broader plan to empower recidents through land tenure.

Speaking during the event in Ndau, the governor reassured the public that the title deeds being distributed are fully verified. He further sympathized with residents who had faced challenges just to attain their title deeds due to complex bureaucracies.

The governor is in Lamu East to inspect and launch government projects and is accompanied by CECMs, chief officers, and nominated MCA Hon. Medo.

# LamuEastDevelopmentTour

#TimamyDelivers

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Communication office at; Communication@lamu.go.ke

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW has officially opened the newly renovated Ndau dispensary as part of ensuring residents have access to medical services.

The dispensary, which closed down following dilapidated poor structure, underwent roof replacement, door replacement, tiling of the floors, repair of the solar system, drainage, and plumbing.

Speaking while in Ndau during Lamu East development tour, the governor noted that the privacy in the maternity unit had been improved to improve the dignity of the clients with additional equipment such as patient observation beds, among others.

The Governor was accompanied by all CECMs, Chief Officers, County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas, CoS Mr. Abdulnasir Issa, and nominated MCA Hon. Medo.

# LamuEastDevelopmentTour

#TimamyDelivers

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Communication office at Communication@lamu.go.ke

The County Government of Lamu has continued to empower the youth by creating a conducive environment for them to do business and improve on their livelihoods.

Speaking in Ndau on Monday, Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW said that the machines will help the youths to enhance their skills, increase efficiency, and improve standards of their finished products.

The governor, who is in Lamu East to commission and inspect government projects, was accompanied by CECMs, chief officers, and nominated MCA Hon. Medo.

# LamuEastDevelopmentTour

#TimamyDelivers

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For more information contact

Communication office at; Communication@lamu.go.ke