The Deputy Auditor General, Mr. David Njoka, has today started his two days official visit in Lamu County to inspect sampled development projects for the financial year ending 2020/2021 being part of the audit process.
Speaking during a courtesy call to the office of the Governor where he was received by CECM Finance, Hon. Fahima Araphat and the County Secretary Mr. John Mburu, the DAG said the visit also seeks to demystify the audit process as well as strengthen the county’s auditing internal systems and processes.
The DAG further commended Lamu County for putting up systems that have progressively improved performance as reflected by the auditor’s report.
Lamu County has progressed from a disclaimer opinion in the year 2018 to Qualified report in the year 2020.
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For more information contact;
Lamu County Communications Office at; info@lamu.go.ke
Josephat Musembi, CECM Trade and Industrialization, has urged the State Department of Livestock to prioritize Lamu County in the ongoing livestock offtake program as drought persists.
Hon. Musembi expressed concern during a consultative meeting between the Kenya Livestock Marketing Council and the Lamu County Government, that the October-December weather forecast for short rains projects below average rainfall for the eastern and northern counties, a situation that could result in massive livestock losses.
“Lamu has always been the drought fall back area, we have an influx of thousands of livestock from neighbouring counties putting more pressure to already diminishing water and pasture resources and increasing risk of livestock losses. All indications are that the drought is imminent in the coming weeks. There is need to buy the livestock from pastoralists as soon as possible before they are lost to the looming drought” Said Hon Musembi
Hon Musembi proposed the manufacturing of animal feeds in Lamu for posterity, citing the availability of raw materials as well as skilled and unskilled labor.
“Lamu county should be regarded a center for animal feeds because of its extensive infrastructural development, such as the Lamu port, which connects to the global market, this will in future ensure availability of feeds despite climate change and uncertain weather patterns” Musembi noted.
The National Livestock Off-take Program was officially launched in Marsabit County on October 12, 2021, by the State Department of Livestock Principal Secretary (PS), Harry Kimutai, and will be replicated in nine (9) other counties, including Mandera, Wajir, Kilifi, and Samburu, Turkana, Isiolo, Garissa, Lamu, and Kitui.
CECM PSMA, Hon Abdu Godana, lauded the National Drought Management Authority and the Food and Agriculture Organization for collaborating with the Lamu county government to provide water and relief animal feeds as a mitigation effort to cushion residents aganist drought effects.
Mr Abdikadir Mohammed, CEO of the Kenya Livestock Marketing Council, has pledged his full support to Lamu County in matters relating to livestock marketing to national markets, infrastructure improvements to support livestock markets, and policy support to enable Lamu County to access a good market for its livestock.
The County Government, on its part, will continue to fully support livestock sector, particularly through continuous drought relief measures such as providing relief animal feeds, water, and livestock vaccination campaigns. Food distribution, water tracking, and operationalization of the Nagele market is also well underway.
Mr. Juma Bernad, Lamu County KLMC Cordinator, and Zeinab Gobu, KLMC Board of Directors, accompanied CEO KLMC.
Dr. Gichohi, the County Chief Officer for Food Security, Mr. Abdalla Ahmed, the Asst. Director for Trade, and Mr. Abarufa, the County Administrator, were also present.
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Story by : Gabriel Mwaura
For more information contact;
Lamu County Communications Office at: info@lamu.go.ke
H.E. Governor Fahim Twaha has emphasized the necessity of planning in building Lamu to be comparable to other world-class cities.
Speaking earlier today during a meeting with a delegation from the Sustainable Urban Economic Development Programme (SUED), during a technical briefing, Governor Fahim Twaha has appealed to the British government to assist the County in designing the city in a way that is consistent with the growth of Lamu Port.
Governor Fahim proposed an exchange program that will equip Lamu’s municipality officials with all of the necessary dynamics to grow a city.
“We have planners and engineers,” the governor stated, “but we lack technical knowledge in developing a new metropolis that will encircle the Port area. Together, we can realize our shared vision, long-term confidence, and intention to transform Lamu into a major maritime, industrial, and logistics hub”
Regional Advisor British High Commission Francis Thoya, assured the governor that, the British government is fully committed to assisting Lamu County in whatever form the process would take. He asked the governor to speed up the process of building capacity among municipal employees so that the program can be implemented smoothly.
The UEP process is divided into four phases:
1. The conception phase (which involves gathering initial feedback from stakeholders), the diagnostic phase, and the implementation phase ( analysis of SWOT of key economic sectors), the UEP paper phase focuses on developing UEP principles, analyzing and prioritizing value chain opportunities, and the UEP phase, anchor value chain prospects.
Agriculture and livestock, tourism and heritage, fisheries and marine, trade/logistics, and manufacturing were also highlighted as rising sectors due to LAPSSET.
Sustainable Urban Economic Development programme (SUED) is a £70 million, five year programme that’s supported by the UK government through the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Lamu Municipality is among 12 out of 53 municipalities that were successfully selected by SUED to be assisted in developing a sustainable urban economic plan and attract investment for critical infrastructure projects. Others include Bungoma, Eldoret,Isiolo, Iten, Kathwana, Kerugoya/Kutus, Kisii, Kitui, Malindi, Mandera and Wote .
The programme will work with the municipal and county leadership to develop investment promotion strategies. In addition, SUED will promote public-private dialogue focused on developing opportunities that improve livelihoods in the municipality. Lamu will additionally benefit from diversification in its economic activities helping to interconnect the municipality with other economic corridors.
CEC Land and Infrastructure Ahmed Hemed was in attendance, as was his counterpart, CEC Finance Fahima Araft, –Municipal Manager, Lamu Municipality, Omar M. Famau, Chief Officer Municipality Alex Jimbi, Chair Public Service Board Mr Abdalla Fadhil among others .
The SUED team was led by Regional Advisor British High Commission Francis Thoya who was accompanied by delegates from Tetra Tech International Development, and Atkins sponsored by UK Government
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Story by : Abdalla Simba and Athman Omar
For more information contact
Lamu County Communications Office at: info@lamu.go.ke
The Lamu County Government increased food distribution efforts in Bahari Ward today, aiming to reach around 3,000 households from Central town, Jua Kali, Nairobi area, Ziwani A, Ziwani B, Lakeside A, Lakeside B, Umoja, Kilimani, FTC, Polytechnic, Naivasha, and Istanbul areas . The food distribution exercise is currently underway at FTC in Mpeketoni .
Because of the present drought and the prognosis of generally dry conditions, Governor Fahim Twaha’s government initiated a food drive in Witu on September 20, 2021, to help Lamu residents cope with the effects of the raging drought.
At least 32,000 disadvantaged households in the County’s 10 wards will benefit from the project, which will distribute an estimated 400 tonnes of food.
Drought conditions have been compounded by a lack of rain, resulting in poor to non-existent crops for Lamu’s small-holder farmers and a shortage of water and vegetation for the pastoralists.
Food insecurity is anticipated to persist from July to December 2021, according to NDMA predictions, with about 1,913,265 people in marginal agricultural and pastoral communities in need of assistance across the whole country.
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Story by: Patrick Ochieng
For more information, Contact
Lamu County Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke
Over 840 households in Uziwa area Mkunumbi Ward today received food for drought relief under the County initiative to cushion small holder farmers and pastoralists against the effects of the prevailing drought .
The food drive was launched in Witu ward in September and is being replicated in all the 10 wards within the county targeting over 32,000 vulnerable households in urgent need of food assistance as drought continues to take its toll.
The worsening drought conditions have manifested in poor to no harvest for Lamu’s small holder farmers, poor vegetation conditions, storage and water sources are depleting by the day, worsening livestock body conditions and reduced milk production .
Addressing Uziwa residents this afternoon, Governor Fahim Twaha assured them that his administration is committed to achieve food security for all Lamu residents .
“The county government has procured 10 new fully loaded tractors to add to the already existing nine, the intention is to open up more land for farming through our ongoing subsidized mechanization of farms program. County tractor services will still be offered at Ksh. 1000 per acre. We are also in the process of procuring high-yield certified seeds which will be distributed free of charge to our farmers to spur food production and reduce cost of production even further,” said Governor Fahim.
The food distribution exercise comes hot in the heels of relief animal feeds drive as well as ongoing water tracking services using water bowsers in villages facing acute water shortages.
According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) drought bulletin for July 2021, Lamu is among 12 other counties on a high alert drought phase include Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Kilifi, Tana River, Samburu, Kitui, Isiolo and Laikipia .
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Story by: Athman Omar
For more information contact:
Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke
Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud has called on Lamu residents to stay vigilant and shun politicians propagating divisive politics ahead of the electioneering period .
Hon Aboud was speaking when he joined hundreds of Lamu residents and other national dignitaries and guests during the inaugural Community Thanksgiving Prayer Day, held at Mpeketoni Town, Tiger grounds .
“Lamu will still be here after elections, Kenya will still remain to be Kenya even after elections, let us be wary of politicians who seek to bring divisions among the Lamu Community. Any politician who wishes to be elected in office in the next year’s General Election should lead by example by building peace and cohesion in Lamu,” said Hon Aboud who represented Governor Fahim Twaha .
The event also doubled as the homecoming ceremony for the Chairman National Police Service Commission, Eliud Kinuthia, CBS, OGW, HSC. Other Dignitaries in attendance included Eng.Dr.Karanja Kibicho,PS State Department of Interior and Citizen Services, Peter Munya Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Nyeri County Deputy Governor Dr Caroline Karugu, Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia, Lamu West Member of Parliament Hon. Stanley Muthama among other local leaders .
The purpose of the prayer day is to set stage for a robust and comprehensive cohesion and peace-building strategies, meet engage, interact and together pray for Lamu County and our Nation Kenya .
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For more information contact:
Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke
H.E Governor Fahim Twaha joined other Muslim faithfuls at the Riyadha Mosque and Islamic Center, Friday 5th November 2021 to mark the Maulid Celebrations .
Lamu is famous for its Maulid celebrations, which mark the birth of the Prophet Mohamed(S.A.W). The festival brings thousands of visitors and pilgrims to Lamu from far afield for recitals of praise poems, music and dances, calligraphy and art exhibits.
The festival is marked every third month of the Islamic calendar and is always held at the Riyadha mosque, which is the longest-functioning and most influential Islamic teaching institution among the Swahili in Coastal East Africa.
In attendance was Lamu leaders including MCA Mkomani ward Yahya Basode, international guests and dignitaries from Morocco, Comoro Islands, Tanzania, Uganda . Also present were local guests from Tana River, Malindi, Kilifi, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru
According to the secretary-general Abubakar Mohammed Badawy, the theme for this year’s festival, is to sensitize the community and visitors on the need to embrace peace and unity as Kenya prepares to hold the 2022 General Election
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Story by: Athman Omar
For more information contact:
Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke
Over 3,000 residents of Lake Amu, Ocean View (Witemere ya Juu), Baharini town and Tewe Chiefs office area in Bahari ward are currently receiving relief food to cushion them against the prevailing drought .
The countywide exercise that was launched last month by HE Governor Fahim Twaha aims to distribute over 400 tonnes of foodstuff to over 32,000 vulnerable households across all the ten wards within Lamu.
Speaking at Lake Amu, Governor Fahim expressed his commitment to ensure food security for all Lamu residents through his administration’s program to support small holder farmers who were dealt a big blow by the ravaging drought registering little to no harvest last season . The county has procured 10 new fully loaded tractors in addition to the existing nine to help open up more land for Agriculture through the subsidized mechanization of farms program .
Lamu, just like other 12 Arid and Semi Arid Counties did not receive adequate rainfall during the last October – November-December 2020 short rains and the March-April-May 2021 long rains. Both seasons were characterized by late onsets, below average quantities, and poor distribution both in time and space.
In the recent past the County has stepped up distribution of relief animal feeds as well as water tracking services using water bowsers in villages facing acute water shortage to ensure uninterrupted supply of water to affected residents, livestock and even wildlife watering areas .
According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) drought bulletin for July 2021, the other twelve (12) counties on a high alert drought phase include Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Samburu, Kitui, Isiolo and Laikipia .
The Governor was accompanied by CECM Trade Hon. Josphat Musembi, CECM Education Hon. Paul Thairu HSC, CECM Public Service Management and Administration Hon. Godana Abdu, Chief of Staff Mohamed Bute among other staffs.
A delegation of students from Kiunga ward undertaking different courses at the Lamu Technical and Vocational Education and training center paid a courtesy call to the office of the Governor at the County headquarters in Mokowe .
The youths, led by Hussein Shali (Marine Security Course ), Rashid Aboud Bwana(Vessel Repairs Course) and Ali Sadik(Maritime Transport and Logistics course); lauded Governor Fahim Twaha and the County Department of Education for the great strides in ensuring that youths in Lamu are empowered and well prepared to take up opportunities that accrue from the LAPSSET . They challenged other County youths to take advantage of the expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) opportunities offered by the County government of Lamu .
Governor Fahim Twaha’s administration has made far-reaching reforms in the TVET sector to churn technologists and artisans required to contribute to Kenya’s and Lamu’s industrial goals . Already , the county has opened 14 satellite polytechnics across the County, scrapped off fees in all of them and expanded the curricula. This has increased the number of trainees in local TVET’s to over 3,500 from just 447 by end of 2017.
Governor Fahim Twaha congratulated the youths for taking initiative to better their lives through education saying the TVETs opportunities will equip them with employable technological skills not only in LAPSSET but also in other associated projects .
“The LAPSSET Corridor Program has components such as the Port, Roads, Railways, Pipelines, Refineries and fishing port which requires technical expertise that is mostly imported from other Countries and Counties. The more we improve our youths technical skills, the more we will change that equation,” said Governor Fahim.
The youths assured Governor Fahim Twaha that they will take full advantage of the opportunities provided by TVETs, saying they are ready to proceed for higher education upon completion of their courses under the County’s higher education Bursary funds for college and University students .
Lamu County’s commitment to increase the number of graduates with technical expertise, mirrors the national government’s ambition to reduce a skills gap that exists in building infrastructure in line with Vision 2030 development goals.
In attendance was the LAWASCO Managing Dirrctor Mr. Paul Wainaina.
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Story by: Athman Omar
For more information contact:
Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke
