Lamu Governor H.E Issa Timamy on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Jambo Jet C.E.O Mr. Ndegwa Karanja to discuss how they can partner towards making the upcoming Lamu Cultural Festivals a success.
Jambo Jet among other airlines is considered a key player that has played a significant role in actively promoting tourism in Lamu by shaping local and international tourists’ travel experiences.
According to Governor Timamy, his Administration will partner with airlines since they are vital drivers in bringing tourists in Lamu to experience the culture that is the heart of communities living in Lamu.
The annual event will be held from 28th -30th November 2024 at Lamu Old Town in November and attracts thousands of tourists who troop to Lamu; a melting pot of cultures, where a tapestry of traditions, languages, and cuisines intertwines.
Lamu Governor H.E Issa Timamy E.GH, O.G.W has stated his commitment to continue improving the county’s healthcare sector to guarantee residents affordable and efficient services.
Speaking on Tuesday after paying a courtesy call to Qatar Ambassador to Kenya in Nairobi H.E Mohamed bin Mutair Al-Enazi, the Governor said their deliberations delved heavily into how Qatar can help Lamu towards establishing a robust healthcare provision environment, with investments cutting across capital resource inputs like setting up the first MRI unit in Lamu among other developments.
The Governor remarked that his Administration had been steadfast in rehabilitating and equipping health facilities, stocking drugs and reorganizing hospital boards as a way of improving healthcare and restoring the public health sector’s confidence.
Lamu Governor H.E Issa Timamy E.GH, O.G.W paying a courtesy call to Safarilink C.E.O and Skyward Chairman on Monday to deliberate on how they will partner in the upcoming Lamu Cultural Festivals slated for this November.
Currently, reparations for the 22nd annual Lamu Cultural Festival are in top gear with Governor Timamy projecting it to be the biggest of all compared to the previous ones allowing tourists to experience the splendour of Lamu culture, cuisine and the unique atmosphere of the Lamu Archipelago.
The County Government of Lamu has continued to woo tourists as a top travel destination at the ongoing Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE)at the Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum in Nairobi.
This year’s expo has brought together hundreds of exhibitors and tourism professionals providing an unparalleled opportunity for industry leaders and stakeholders to ignite new collaborations and opportunities within East Africa’s thriving tourism sector.
According to Tourism CECM Hon. Aisha Miraj the Department of Tourism was seeking the opportunity to market Lamu as the preferred tourist destination an island whose allure lies in a captivating blend of diversity, economic vibrancy, natural beauty, bustling energy, and an indomitable spirit.
The 2024 Magical Kenya Travel Expo is widely recognized as the leading travel trade show in East and Central Africa where thousands of delegates participate.
The Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program (KISIP 2) National Project Coordination team, County Project Coordination Team and KISIP team led by supervisory consultant residents engineer, Eng. Jude Kizito is in Lamu to inspect the ongoing KISIP2 projects.
On Thursday the team visited the three ongoing settlement projects in Wiyoni, Mokowe and Witu to check on the implementation of project designs, environmental social safeguards and monitoring and evaluation.
Upon completion, the projects that were commissioned by Lamu Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW in September, will make a tremendous social-economic impact in transforming Lamu through various infrastructure projects.
The KISIP2 team lauded the County Government of Lamu under the stewardship of Governor Timamy for the commitment to completing the project within the stipulated timelines and ensuring the projects have created direct employment to both skilled and nonskilled labor opportunities for both youth and women. Project components include the construction of footpaths, drainage works and high mast street lighting in the informal settlements of Wiyoni, Mokowe, Witu, Matondoni, Faza and Kiunga respectively.
In attendance were Chief Officer Lands Ahmed Ali (Loo) Lamu Municipal Manager Mr. Abdulswamad Ali, and County Project Coordinator Omar Sagaff among others.
The County Government of Lamu has emerged among the top counties’ Own Source Revenue trendsetters after being ranked fourth best County behind Turkana, Vihiga and Kirinyaga in hitting targets in raising its revenue.
The positive ranking that was announced during the Annual State of Devolution Address (2024) in a Nairobi hotel attributed Lamu’s success to prudent measures put in place by Governor Issa Timamy’s administration in the collection of taxes and proper utilization of resources in a transparent and accountable manner. Moreover, the findings showed that the top counties excelled in high absorption rates, including timely salary disbursements.
Speaking shortly after the Council of Governors’ leadership elections, Governor Timamy credited the Department of Finance for the remarkable results emphasizing that improved OSR not only increases absolute revenues for a county but also improves the fiscal autonomy of county government and allows the County to better manage it’s public finances in a manner that is appropriate to it’s economy.
“My Administration will continue to adopt better strategies for own-source revenue collection and focus on increasing absorption rates to ensure effective use of allocated funds” stated Governor Timamy.
CoG also held their election where H.E Ahmed Abdullahi EGH, Governor Wajir County, H.E. Mwalimu Mutahi Kahiga, EGH, Governor Nyeri County and H.E Stephen Sang, Governor Nandi County we elected as the new Council of Governors Chairperson, Vice Chair and Whip respectively.
The County Government of Lamu in partnership with KMA has certified 2603 coxswains from Lamu in a bid to improve sea safety as well as enable them to get jobs in any country.
Speaking while at Mkunguni Square in Mkomani Ward on Saturday, Governor Timamy remarked that the certification which took 30 days for 10 centers will enable the seafarers to adhere to the laws of Kenya, and capacity build their skills and knowledge.
“In line with President William Ruto’s directives to assist fishermen whom majority cannot afford the courses my administration has undertaken this initiative to assist the majority of fishermen from Lamu who cannot afford the courses offered at the Bandari Collage in Mombasa,” said the Governor.
He also appreciated the President, Chairman of KMA for the support in training the coxswains and assured boat operators and fishermen that they are now free from harassment from Coast Guards.
According to Fisheries CECM Hon. Faiz Fankupi, the Department of Fisheries will continue supporting coxswains to reduce the number of accidents, and loss of life as well as making them competitive in the job market.
In attendance were KMA officials and CoS Mr. Abdulnasir Issa among others.
Lamu County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers and Directors on Friday concluded a two-day capacity-building initiative that was organized by NEPAD/APRM on the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) in the county.
The capacity building exercise held at the Mokowe Command Center was geared to create awareness of the CPRM initiative amongst officials of the Further, the initiative will facilitate experience sharing, identify challenges, build capacity to entrench policies and standards that will accelerate good governance in the county as well as make service delivery more effective and efficient.
This initiative reflects Governor Issa Timamy’s administration’s commitment to the implementation of good governance initiatives in the devolved system of government by building up on practices that fully recognize the need to accelerate development and economic growth and by ensuring adequate and effective service delivery mechanisms are in place.
During the opening of the session led by Mr. Owanga Sebastian Aduong’a. C.E.C.M – Education, remarked on the importance of the initiative to the County and how the CPRM self-assessment will enable the County to improve its service delivery. Thereafter, he welcomed the Chief Executive Officer, Amb. Dr. Samori Okwiya gave his remarks where he applauded the County Government for showing leadership in acknowledging and accepting to undertake this capacity-building initiative.
The CEO remarked that the CPRM process will enable the county to improve its good governance approach by learning about various practices undertaken on such initiatives by other counties as well as build up on the progress made.
The capacity building exercise which was also attended by Lamu County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas concluded with a simulation exercise that will ensure that the county is prepared enough to undertake the CPRM self-assessment exercise.
Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy EGH, OGW on Saturday commissioned Mpeketoni subcounty hospital male and female wards in memory of the the late Lamu Deputy Governor H.E Raphael Munyua who passed away on 6th September 2024.
According to Governor Timamy, the ward was dedicated to his former Deputy who served as the third Deputy Governor of Lamu for his leadership, vision and commitment to the health and well-being of the people of Lamu.
Towards improving the health services in Lamu, the Governor also commissioned the first ever new dialysis unit that has four dialysis machines a dental unit that will conduct multiple dental procedures such as fillings and root canals, a new dedicated 315 KVA transformer that will upgrade the electricity supply and capacity.
The facility also unveiled it’s newly renovated radiology unit and a new ultrasound machine.
H.E The Governor further reiterated his commitment to transform the health sector and improve the welfare of health workers to ensure residents have access to affordable and quality health services.
In attendance were Mrs Stella Tayo wife to the late Deputy Governor, Hon MCAs Gakonga, Mburu and Hope, Health CECM Hon. Dr Mbarak Bahjaj, Agriculture CECM Hon. Jimmy Gichu, CECM Education Hon. Sebastian Owanga, Finance CECM Hon. Mohamed Mbwana, CoS Mr. Abdulnasir Issa, Chief Officers for Medical Services Dr. Victor Tole, Trade Chief Officer Md. Joyce Murimi, Devolution Chief Officer Mr. Kassim, Hospital Board members among others.
Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy on Friday awarded bursaries and scholarships worth over Ksh. 55 million to 7,357 needy but bright students from Lamu County.
The Sh. 55,899,525 will be shared among 7,357 secondary school students with 2,180 students receiving full scholarships and 5,177 being awarded bursaries respectively. According to Governor Timamy Sh.38,060,595 will be absorbed within the county schools.
“My administration remains committed to addressing the financial challenges faced by students to ensure that they can pursue their academic aspirations with greater ease and focus. Thus bursaries and scholarships aim at uplifting the lives of those students who need financial support from Lamu, giving hope to the hopeless and supporting the dreams of the future generation in our beloved County.” Said Governor Timamy.
Bursaries and Scholarships were introduced by Governor Timamy during his first tenure in the year 2014.
The Governor further emphasized that the procedure was fair and transparent and committed to publishing the names of all beneficiaries for accountability and transparency. The County boss further added that there will be common exams for form one to form three students that are sponsored by the County Government to ensure all students sit for fair and equal exams. He further called upon members of Parliament who have a bursary kitty to make public the list of their beneficiaries for transparency and public confidence.
In his remarks, Education CECM Hon. Sebastian Owanga noted that by facilitating access to educational funds, the county is demonstrating a dedication to nurturing talent and fostering academic excellence within the community.
Bursary and Scholarship Board Chair Mr. Athman Badi said as a board they were honored to be part of this initiative, which underscores our shared values and commitment to promoting education in Lamu.
In attendance were Lamu County Commissioner Mr. Wesly Koech, Chief of Staff Mr. Abdulnasir Issa, Education Chief Officer Ms. Hafswa Difini, Principals from all Lamu County Secondary schools, BOM/PTA representatives, TSC representatives among others.
