35 Women groups in Lamu County are set to benefit from a Ksh 2,000,000 grant provided by WWF- Kenya through the Department of Education, Gender, Sports and Social Services.

The funds will enable the groups to offer indigenous and Swahili food catering services during the 22nd edition of the Lamu Cultural Festival, which will run from November 28th to 30th.

This financial support is directed towards groups affiliated with Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) in Lamu, providing them with an opportunity to generate income while showcasing the rich culinary traditions of the County.

The funding has been made possible through WWF-Kenya’s Triple Benefit, Lamu Mangrove Conservation, and Building Community Resilience through Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects.

By empowering local communities to participate in the cultural festival, WWF-Kenya also reinforces the importance of community ownership in conservation efforts.

The Lamu Cultural Festival, organized by County Government of Lamu, is a key event that celebrates the region’s unique cultural heritage, Coexistence, promotes ecotourism, and advocates for sustainable resource management.

In attendance was County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas, Chief Officer Education Madam Hafswa Difini among others.

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

It was pomp and color in Basuba ward on Sunday, as the community welcomed Lamu Governor Issa EGH, OGW after assisting 26 Aweer community youths to secure permanent and pensionable jobs.

The Governor, who was accompanied by First lady H. E Dr. Hajara Elbusaidy handed over employment letters to 21 youths who were employed by the Public Service Commission as clerical staff and support staff through Governor Timamy’s intervention, whilst five were employed by the County Government as ECDE teachers.

The community and the new recruits thanked Governor Timamy for his unwavering commitment towards ensuring youths have equal opportunities for employment.

On his part, Governor Timamy congratulated the officials and urged them to work with professionalism and serve the public in their different capacities with dedication, fairness and integrity.

The Governor was also accompanied by the CECM for Education Hon. Sebastian Owanga, County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas, Chief of Staff Mr. Abdulnasir Issa and Education Chief Officer Mrs. Hafswa Difini.

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For more information, contact

Communication office at; communication@lamu.go.ke

Residents of Mpeketoni have been urged to uphold high standards of hygiene following concerns over illegal waste disposal practices in the area.

It has been discovered that many households and business premises have illegally connected their waste water discharge to the stormwater drains.

This has led to constant blockages of the drains, unpleasant odors and breeding of mosquitoes and other vectors of diseases.

The Department of Public Health, Sanitation and Environment together with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has condemned the practice, calling on the public to refrain from such actions in order to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

Speaking during the joint on-site inspection, Mr. Mohamed Abubakar, the Director of Public Health and NEMA County Director Mr. Huqa Gedho, issued a stern warning to those responsible for the illegal connections.

“We are giving notice to these property owners to remove the illegal connections and install proper waste disposal systems. Failure to comply will result in legal action,” warned Abubakar.

NEMA Director informed that legal action shall be taken against those who will not comply with the improvement orders.

Residents are encouraged to report any illegal waste disposal practices and support the ongoing efforts to keep the town clean. Meanwhile the clean up exercise of the drains has been upscaled to unblock them and allow good flow of the storm water during the upcoming rains.

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

The Lamu County Referral Hospital will go into books of history as the first hospital to conduct the specialized procedure PCNL for a patient with a staghorn kidney stone measuring 3cm x 2.4cm.

The procedure was done by visiting Urologist & Ass. Professor _Dr. Akif Erbin_ from Turkiye collaborating with King Fahd hospital’s resident Urologist _Dr. Omar Binsalman._

The procedure which usually costs up to *KSH 450,000* was in this case done free of charge through partnership with *Doctors Worldwide* Turkiye and *Tika* , who also supported the just concluded UROLOGY & GYNECOLOGY CAMP at Lamu County Referral Hospital and Faza Sub-county Hospital respectively.

Other procedures done during the camp were:

10 kidney stones – done *RIRS + Laser*

8 Prostate enlargements – done *TURP*

4 children with fistulae and hernia repairs

5 diagnostic *Cysto-urethrograms*

7 *Gynecological Surgeries* including Cystectomies, TVH & TAH

Each of these procedures would otherwise cost the patients between KSH 80,000 – 150,000

A total of *35 MAJOR OPERATIONS* were successfully performed during the camp and all patients have been discharged

Please note, *GYNECOLOGY and UROLOGY CLINICS* continue at King Fahd hospital every MONDAY & FRIDAY RESPECTIVELY with specialized procedures routinely done at affordable rates and fully covered for *SHIF registered & paid up members*

For more information:

King Fahd Hospital

Customer Care

*0717 648 471*

Lamu County Emergency Operation Centre has received its first batch of students on internship from Mombasa KMTC who will be attached at the EOC and taken through the Emergency Medical technicalities.

The students who were received by Chief of Staff Mr. Abdulnasir Issa alongside Disaster Management focal person Mr. Shee Kupi, will be undertaken through various modules of operations that includes but not limited to on scene and enroute patient management as well as dispatch cordination, patient identification and priority management.

The students will undertake their internship in a global award winning centre where all manners of incidents are processed and managed.

The centre which was established by Governor Issa Timamy has proved to the world about its capacity to run the programs smoothly and effectively.

Mr. Abdulnasir welcomed the cohort and assured them of the county’s support to make their learning exciting and fulfilling.

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For more information contact

Communication office at; communication@lamu.go.ke

In his annual State of the County address at the Lamu County Assembly, Governor Issa Timamy expressed his gratitude to the electorate for their continued trust and support.

Speaking in line with the requirements of the County Government Act of 2012, the Governor began by thanking residents for the opportunity to serve and promising to prioritize the welfare of county staff, ensuring they are well-supported to effectively perform their duties.

Governor Timamy emphasized the importance of collaboration with the County Assembly, acknowledging the positive working relationship that has contributed to successful service delivery to the people of the county.

Among the highlights of his administration’s achievements, Governor Timamy proudly shared the following milestones:

Revenue Collection: There has been a significant 35% increase in revenue collection, showcasing improved financial management and resource mobilization within the county.

Education: The Governor announced that 326 million shillings had been given for scholarships and bursaries, underscoring his commitment to supporting education and ensuring that students have access to financial assistance.

Infrastructure Development: The county has successfully constructed and upgraded 91 kilometers of road network, enhancing connectivity and promoting economic development across the region.

Healthcare Advancements: In a historic achievement, Kiunga will soon have a maternity theatre, which will be staffed by a medical doctor. This milestone will greatly improve healthcare access for the local community, particularly for mothers and children.

Governor Timamy concluded his address by reaffirming his dedication to the continued development of the county, with plans to focus on further enhancing infrastructure, healthcare services, and education, while ensuring the welfare of county staff remains a top priority.

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

Lamu County through the department of Land, Physical Planning and Urban Development has made history by becoming the first county in Kenya to develop a comprehensive County Spatial Plan, and now, it is the first to undertake its review and revision.

This forward-thinking plan, combined with the integration of a Marine Spatial Plan, is set to revolutionize how the county manages its resources and plans for sustainable growth.

Under the leadership of His Excellency Governor Issa Timamy, Lamu County has taken bold steps toward creating a blueprint for responsible development that balances environmental preservation with economic progress.

The integration of the Marine Spatial Plan is particularly significant, as it provides a structured approach to managing the county’s rich marine resources, ensuring their sustainable use for future generations.

“Today, Lamu County stands at the forefront of transformative development, not only with the County Spatial Plan but also by pioneering the Marine Spatial Plan,” CECM Land said during a recent roundtable meeting where stakeholders discussed the roadmap ahead.

The plan’s review and revision process has been a collaborative effort, with significant support from development partners such as the Go Blue Kenya Project, UN-Habitat, WWF Kenya, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

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

In a bid to combat the rising challenges of drug abuse and mental health issues in Lamu County, stakeholders have called for a collaborative strategy to address these critical concerns.

The call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement held earlier today, which brought together key players from various sectors including government officials, mental health experts, community leaders, and civil society organizations.

During the forum, mental health experts urged the County Government of Lamu to prioritize mental health in its development planning.

They specifically called for the inclusion of mental health initiatives in the Lamu County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

“Mental health is a crucial yet under-addressed issue in Lamu County, a collaborative approach can foster positive change and create lasting solutions to the challenges our communities face.” said one of the presenters at the event.

Participants at the meeting acknowledged that the high rates of drug abuse in the county have exacerbated mental health problems, with many individuals struggling to access the support they need.

They emphasized that improving mental health services, raising awareness, and integrating mental health support into the broader development framework are essential steps toward addressing the issue.

The forum concluded with a strong call for action from all stakeholders to work together, leveraging their resources and expertise to drive a meaningful impact in tackling both drug abuse and mental health challenges in Lamu County.

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

On Sunday H. E Governor Issa Timamy EGH joined H.E Mrs. Tessy Musalia Mudavadi and other first ladies to celebrate WORLD PREMATURITY DAY in a colorful event at the Malindi Sub-county Hospital.

The event, themed OKOA MALAIKA is an initiative of Ushiriki Wema and Mudavadi Memorial Foundations that aims at creating awareness and support towards preterm babies in Kenya.

In their speeches, both the Governor and first lady Dr. Hajara Elbusaidy underpinned the importance of care for preterm babies who form over 4% of live births across the Coast region and contribute a significant percentage of childhood mortalities.

He also expressed his commitment towards improving the neonatal and perinatal mortality indicators in Lamu County from the current 26/1000 Live births to the SDG target of 12/1000 Live births, through various interventions which include operationalization of new Newborn Units at Mpeketoni and Mokowe Sub-county hospitals recently.

The Governor thanked H.E Tessy Mudavadi for the donation of 2 neonatal incubators which he assured the donors would be put to good use and care by the County Government of Lamu.

Also present were the County Secretary Amb. Ali Abbas, CECM Health services Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj, Chief of Staff Abdulnassir Issa, Nominated MCA Hon. Ahmed Medo among others.

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For more information, contact

Communication office at; Communication@lamu.go.ke

99 Casual workers at the port of Lamu on Saturday expressed their happiness and gratitude to Lamu Governor Issa Timany EGH, OGW for his efforts towards ensuring their employment terms are translated from contract to permanent and pensionable terms.

The indigenous dockers drawn from Lamu whose fate was in limbo at the port of Lamu following reports that they would be retrenched, met the Governor in Mombasa to express their gratitude for fulfilling his promise that all youths employed by LAPSSET from Lamu on a contract basis would not be fired and instead their terms would be translated to permanent basis. The gleeful dockers further said they were happy because their translation of terms guarantees them job and emotional stability which they lacked on contract basis.

The Governor encouraged the youths to discharge their duties diligently and remarked that their success plays a pivotal role in making Lamu port fully operational where thousands of direct jobs will be available for the locals and subsequently unlocking Lamu’s economic potential.

On the other hand, nominated MCA Hon. Medo underscored that for the Lamu Port project to be successful, locals need to be first in line in terms of opportunities for jobs and business. He further lauded the governor’s move to ensure the dockers are employed on permanent terms, citing that indirect jobs and services in line with the port operations will spur development across the region.

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For more information contact

Communication office at; communication@lamu.go.ke