The Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Urban Development and Natural Resource, has today held a successful meeting with development partners on the process of discussing partinent issues including the pulling of resources to review the Lamu County Spatial plan that will incorporate Marine spatial planning.
This is in line with the docket of Blue economy which H.E Governor Issa Timamy is the chairman.
Lamu County Government was the first county to prepare a County Spatial Plan and will be the first to be reviewed.
Other issues are climate change and conservation of mangrove ecosystems.
This is to ensure Lamu county leverage on the resources available to improve livelihoods of local communities.
The development partners include: UNHabitat under the Go-Blue project, FAO under the DLGP project, WorldWide Fund, The Nature Conservancy among others.
32 girls Lamu East sub-County who are sitting for this year KCPE and form four exams have benefited with Sanitary Pads courtesy of the Lamu County government.
The girls are from five secondary schools and 13 primary schools located on the island of Pate.
The Lamu County Government was represented by the Director of Education Abdallah Baragash along side with other officers to hand over Sanitary Pads to the school administrators before attending the Kindergarten graduation ceremony (PP2) of Mtangawanda Primary School.
Lamu County is avowedly ambitious for its youngest children by securing them a long-term future through ushering them for pre-primary education in a new, ground-breaking policy commencing academic year 2024.
According to Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW his Administration is alive to the fact that these early years provide a critical window of opportunity for young learners since that’s where a child’s brain development occurs. Towards unlocking this big change in the academic system, the county government will continue to provide infrastructure and cognitive development so as to maximise on children’s holistic development to achieve the greatest impact on their lives.
Speaking in Lamu East after conducting visit to Mararani, Basuba , Milimani and Mangai to assess the provision of pre primary education and wish grade six success in their upcoming KPSEA assessment, Education CECM Hon. Sebastian Owanga said the County was prepared to usher the pupils in the new system that puts emphasis on a learner’s unique talents and abilities rather than focusing wholly on academics and exam performances.
The County Government also donated sanitary towels to students who are sitting for their KAPSEA assessment.
Unlike the 8-4-4 system where learners would spend 8 years for primary education, 4 years in secondary school and 4 years at the university, the CBC curriculum runs on a 2-6-3-3 system of education where basic education has been organized in three levels; Early Years Education, Middle School Education, and Senior School.
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For more information contact:
Lamu County Government Communications Office at communication@lamu.go.ke
Lamu Governor H.E Issa Timamy EGH, OGW has called for a concerted effort towards saving Lake Kenyatta from a complete ruin. Towards restoring the dwindling Lake, the County Government will spearhead the initiative in collaboration with other national government agencies through an initiative that will involve community-based organisations such as water resource users association, beach management units and non-governmental partners.
This was announced today by H. E Deputy Governor Raphael Munyua following a consultative meeting with key stakeholders to deliberate on how to delianiate riparian land and save the lake from extinction.
Speaking in the meeting that was held in Mpeketoni, the DG who is also the CECM for Climate Change noted that the impact of uncontrolled human activity, unsustainable fishing, encroachment and conversion of land in the buffer zone to agriculture are among the activities that has loosened the soils, exacerbating erosion and resulting in sediment being dumped into the lake.
“Pangani was a marsh, today it no longer exists, Zebra area was also marshy but is now a human settlement. We need to educate our people about ecosystem and that bad practices in a sub-catchment will have an effect on the whole Lake” said the Deputy Governor.
He also emphasized on Governor Timamy’s Administration commitment towards saving the idyllic Lake Kenyatta which has no surface outlet and is glaring extinction from high siltation.
Towards successfully saving the shrinking Lake, the multi sectorial team agreed to embark on a rigorous public participation exercise to sensitize the locals on the importance of delineation of riparian land, environmental conservation and initiation of catchment conservation measures to improve water quality and quantity.
In attendance were CECM Finance Hon. Mohamed Mbwana, CECM Lands Hon. Tashrifa Mohamed, CECM Agriculture Hon. Jimmy Gichu, CO Climate Change Mr. Rashid Dirie, CO Lands Mr. Ahmed Mohamed and representatives from NLC, Ministry of Lands, WRUA, LAKWA, ZILALA among others.
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For more information contact:
Lamu County Government Communications Office at communication@lamu.go.ke.
October is a National breast cancer awareness Month with a primary objective of Creating Awareness on Breast Cancer, promote early detection and support those affected by cancer.
County Department of Medical Services in collaboration with Pathcare Kenya together with private organizations and CBOs conducted a cancer awareness and screening program at Mkunguni Town Square today.
Lamu County managed to get 10 cancer patients after screening done last month, screened with different types of cancer, and breast cancer being among them.
The patients who were referred for further evaluation at Mombasa were all found to have stage 4 (end-stage) disease.
CECM health Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj said that Lamu County has in the 2024/25 ADP planned for establishment of a CANCER CENTRE at the King fahd Referral Hospital, which will be a great milestone and a huge relief to our patients.
He also over-emphasized to the people of Lamu to get screened without fear so that the cancer can be detected and treated at early stage.
The County Department of Health has so far vaccinated over 4000 girls with the HPV vaccine Countywide.
Dr. Mbarak further urged young girls and students to get the HPV vaccine and those who haven’t completed their second
dose to visit Health facilities for the booster dose free of charge.
The event was coordinated by County Reproductive Health Coordinator, Dr Fatma Faruk, and Ms Ann Nkirote the County NCD coordinator, who led the procession from King fahd Referral Hospital matching to Mkunguni Town Square.
Also in attendance was the Chief officer Medical Services Dr. Tole, the Director Dr.Baasba, former MCA Madam Amina Kale, among other leaders & officials.
The Lamu County Government in collaboration with the Cooperative Bank of Lamu-Mpeketoni Branch, has distributed Sanitary pads to 87 primary and secondary schools girls within Lamu West.
The pads aim to benefit 1647 students who are sitting for the national examination for form four and standard eight,this year, in Lamu West sub-County.
Speaking to the candidates at Witu Primary School and Mpeketoni High School for girls, during the distribution exercise, the First Lady of the County Mrs. Hajara Albusaidy, said the girl child is an important link in the welfare of the society and the economy, so she should be educated and taken care of properly.
In addition Mrs. Hajara has thanked the Cooperative Bank for collaborating with the Lamu County government and added that the support has come at the right time so that girls sitting for the national exam will not be troubled by menstrual issues while sitting for their exam.
The Service Manager of the Cooperative Bank Mpeketoni branch, Maurice Ogola, has congratulated Governor Issa Timamy, for his progressive efforts and promised that the bank will continue to cooperate with the Lamu government after enjoying cooperation and a good relationship with the current government to benefit the people of Lamu.
All students sitting for the national examination across the county,for form four and standard eight are expected to receive these pads.
In attendance was CECM of Education Sebastian Owanga, Chief Officer for Education,Hafswa Difini, Gender and Community Service Officer Penina Mathiu among others.
Livestock farmers in Witu ward and other parts of Lamu County are set to resume dipping their livestock and bebefit from routine vaccination programmes following the County Government initiative to rehabilitate cattle dips and vaccination crushes at Koreni, Moa, Dide waride, Kitumbini and Mkunumbi.
The rehabilitation entails repairs of existing livestock holding pens for cattle dips and further extension to include vaccination crushes.
According to Lamu Governor H.E Issa Timamy EGH, OGW, rehabilitation and improvement of the livestock disease control infrastructure that had been abandoned for over 6 years will enhance efforts to control livestock diseases and improve productivity.
“My Administration has already operationalized cattle dips at Chalaluma, Dide and Kitumbini with over 10,000 cattle dipped. I urge livestock farmers to come together in registered marketing cooperatives and my admistration will establish milk cooling and collection centres at Mokowe, Pangani and Witu to facilitate marketing of milk to processors in the Country” said Governor Timamy during his development tour in the ward on Saturday.
The County Governor also noted that small and large stock auction paddocks at the Nagele livestock market will be rehabilitated and new market committee formed. He termed the market as an important linkage for livestock export through Lamu port.
According to Livestock CECM Hon. Faiz Fankupi, the County Government will continue to enhance mass livestock vaccination, provide drugs for livestock and continue to operationalise cattle dips across the County as part of County Government’s efforts to improve animal health and immunity.
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For more information contact:
Lamu County Government Communications Office at communication@lamu.go.ke
After many years of struggling with lack of dairy market, over 1,000 dairy farmers from Witu Ward have finally discovered a secret to create value addition by packaging fresh milk and making yoghurt.
Witu Livestock Cooperative was officially opened today by H.E Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW and has rekindled the hope of dairy farmers from Witu who had for a long time suffered a blow from low milk prices.
Governor Timamy lauded the members initiative towards tapping into an opportunity that had been unexplored. He further committed to assist the cooperative society towards marketing their products and finding donors who will help them operate at their optimum.
Other farmers were called upon to form/join cooperatives since that’s the easiest way they can access government funding as well as attract investors.
The Governor was accompanied by his Deputy HE Raphael Munyua, CECMs, County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas, CoS Mr. Abdulnasir Issa, Chief Officers, MCAs, among others.
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For more information contact Communication office at communication@lamu.go.ke
County Government of Lamu has embarked on preservation of Witu Cemetery after being deserted for decades.
This includes building up of a perimeter wall, clearing overgrown bushes, weeding, litter picking, slashing, edge trimming, grass trimming/ mowing; and leveling of undulated grounds at the Cemetry.
Speaking while commissioning the building of the perimeter wall on Saturday, Governor Timamy issued the directive as part of providing dignity to all, including the departed.
The Governor is in Witu accompanied by senior government officials to commission different government projects.
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For more information contact Communication office at communication@lamu.go.ke
The Lamu County Government has issued Special Interest Group grants, to 14 women’s, youth’s groups as well as people with disabilities (PWDs) from Witu ward.
Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW officially launched the enterprise grant, which is expected to benefit micro and small businesses in the county operated by youth, women, and people with disabilities (PWDs).
Speaking during the issuance of cheques at Witu on Saturday, Governor Issa Timamy said the support was a critical social transformation pillar that would boost economic opportunities and engagement for Witu women, youths, and people with disabilities. He explained that the program aims to provide employment opportunities for these special interest groups by encouraging them to start their own businesses and become job creators.
“This is simply the begining; Our sustainable development agenda aims to leave no one behind, including women, youth, and those with disabilities. The goal is to attain a sustainable, inclusive, sustained, and equitable economic growth, supported by employment and decent work for everyone, social integration, increased productivity, and a pleasant environment for all Lamu residents.” Governor Timamy stated
He added that the County Government will be monitoring the beneficiary groups that have received the funding to see how they are doing, prioritizing groups with a good business track record to identify which ones require further support to grow.
According to Hon. Sebastian Owanga CECM for Youth, Gender, Sports, Culture & Social Services, the enterprise fund is a revolving fund with no interest, which means small firms will not be bound to repayment tenures.
The Governor was in Witu for a three day working tour that ended on Sunday, where he launched several development projects.
In attendance was Deputy Governor HE Raphael Munyua, CECMs, County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas, CoS Mr. Abdulnasir Issa, Chief Officers, MCAs among others.
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For more information contact:
Lamu County Government Communications Office at communication@lamu.go.ke