Archives 2025

Was honored to preside over and sponsor the inaugural *WEEKLY SWIMMING COMPETITION* in Lamu island, organized by *Amu Youth Swimming Club* , earlier today,10th Aug 2025.

The competition brought together youths from the ages of *10 to 20 years* and will take place every Sunday afternoon.

I congratulate the Winners today:

Junior Category:

1.Faswad

2.Fahad Abdul

3.Ali Abdallah.

Intermediate Category:

1.Mohammed Maulad

2.Fahad Amin

3.Mohammed Bwana mkuu.

Senior Category:

1.Famau Muhasha

2.Suheil

3.Namir Ali

I call upon all youths from Lamu to participate in this innovative venture which aims at _keeping them fit,_ protect them against vices such as _drug abuse_ as well as give them an _opportunity to make a career_ out of swimming.

Special thanks goes to Kenya Red Cross and Coast Guard for their support

I also wish to appreciate members of Amu Youth Swimming Club led by Mr. Hassan (Yaba) Baskut, Adam Bakari (museum) and Capt. Mohd Yussuf;

Moderators Ali Bwandumia & Baabad Miji among many others

I call upon *business owners and well-wishers* to come out and co-sponsor this activity and use it to advertise their businesses

Dr. MBARAK M. BAHJAJ

DG/CECM #005

Lamu County has made tremendous progress in controlling drug and substance abuse, and now plans to introduce a landmark law to further strengthen the fight by ensuring proper regulations are in place. The new legislation is expected to build on the county’s gains, including the enrolment of over 600 users at the King Fahd Hospital Methadone Clinic and more than 120 at the Faza MAT Clinic.

Speaking during a two-day multi-sector workshop to draft the Lamu County Drug and Substance Abuse Control Bill, Deputy Governor Dr. Mbarak, who also serves as the County Executive Committee Member for Health, said: “According to our county health reports, Lamu has made significant steps in the fight against drug abuse; however, more needs to be done to comprehensively address the issue”.

The proposed law will focus on reducing demand through awareness, education, and rehabilitation; cutting supply via stronger law enforcement and border control; and minimizing harm by expanding treatment, care, and reintegration for affected persons.

Governor Issa Timamy has pledged resources and political will to ensure the bill’s swift passage once tabled at the County Assembly.

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

Health CS Hon. Duale has lauded Lamu Governor Issa Timamy for revolutionizing healthcare in the county. Timamy is recognized among Kenya’s top governors, dedicated to ensuring residents access quality, affordable medical services. His leadership has significantly improved facilities, expanded services, and strengthened healthcare delivery for the people of Lamu.

#TimamyDelivers

Lamu County Government has concluded a three-day sensitization series on the Staff Performance Appraisal System (SPAS), aimed at enhancing employee productivity and aligning individual performance with county development goals.

The forums, held across various sub-counties, were supported by the Kenya Devolution Support Programme Phase II (KDSP2).

The sensitization meetings brought together county employees and senior officials to deepen understanding of the appraisal system, which is used to evaluate the performance of public officers in line with the county’s service delivery targets.

Speaking during the forum, Chief Officer for Public Health and KDSP2 Coordinator, Mohamed Dirie, emphasized the importance of performance appraisal in promoting accountability, transparency, and employee well being.

“This system not only strengthens service delivery but also supports employee development by creating clear expectations and feedback mechanisms,” said Dirie.

The Staff Performance Appraisal System is a key performance management tool that helps cascade the objectives of the Performance Contract (PC) and actualize the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

County officials reaffirmed their commitment to institutionalizing performance based management as a way of improving governance and delivering on the county’s mandate to its citizens.

The sensitization forums are part of ongoing efforts by Lamu County to build a results oriented public service culture, supported through national and donor-funded initiatives such as KDSP2.

Also in attendance were Chief Officer for Trade, Tourism, and Culture Joyce Murimi, Deputy Director for Human Resource Management, Mr. Felix Katama, and other departmental heads.

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For more information contact Communication office at

Communication@lamu.go.ke.

Lamu Girls Secondary School is set to benefit from a state-of-the-art dormitory, fully funded by a Saudi Arabian investor. A foundation stone for the project was officially laid during a ceremony attended by Governor H.E. Issa Timamy EGH, OGW, who was accompanied by the investor while launching a fruit processing plant in Mkunumbi Ward.

The investor made the commitment after Governor Timamy passionately appealed for support to address the severe congestion at the school caused by rising student enrolment. The Governor emphasized that limited boarding facilities were compromising the learning environment and urged for immediate intervention.

The new dormitory, which will have a capacity of 160 students, is expected to be completed within four months. It will significantly ease overcrowding and create a more conducive space for academic excellence.

Present during the event were County Secretary Ambassador Ali Abbas, Chief of Staff Abdulnassir Issa, Education CECM Hon. Sebastian Owanga, and several County Executive Committee Members. Also in attendance was Mr. Salim Bunu, Chairman of the Board of Management for Lamu Girls Secondary School, who welcomed the development with gratitude.

Governor Timamy reiterated his unwavering commitment to transforming the education sector in Lamu County. He noted that while his administration continues to attract investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and industry, education remains a top priority. He further called on more partners and investors to support learning institutions, affirming that investing in education is investing in the future of Lamu.

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For more information, contact: communication@lamu.go.ke

Lamu County has welcomed a major international investor from Saudi Arabia, who is set to establish a state-of-the-art fruit processing plant in Mkunumbi Ward. The project marks a significant milestone in the county’s economic development journey, offering a promising boost to the agricultural sector and creating job opportunities for locals.

The foundation stone for the facility was officially laid on Wednesday in a colorful ceremony attended by Lamu Governor H.E. Issa Timamy EGH, OGW, who described the project as a “game changer” for the region. The plant will provide a ready market for local farmers’ produce, including mangoes, oranges, melons, bananas, among others—adding value and opening access to export markets.

This investment is a direct result of Governor Timamy’s tireless efforts to market Lamu County to both local and international investors. From spearheading investment forums to holding high-level meetings with foreign stakeholders, the Governor has remained firmly committed to unlocking Lamu’s economic potential through strategic partnerships.

Governor Timamy has consistently prioritized sustainable economic growth, with a special focus on agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. His administration continues to create an enabling environment for investors through policy reforms, improved security, and community engagement. The Governor believes that harnessing Lamu’s natural resources and strategic location is key to transforming the livelihoods of its people.

Also present during the event were Chief of Staff Abdulnassir Issa, County Secretary Ali Abbas, and several CEC Members led by Agriculture CECM James Gichu. Speaking at the event, Gichu emphasized that Lamu will strive to produce the best quality fruits to meet both local and international market standards.

The Saudi investor confirmed that the fruit plant will employ Lamu locals, prioritizing youth and women in the recruitment process, thus contributing to poverty reduction and empowerment.

Lamu is indeed rising, thanks to Governor Timamy’s focused leadership.

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

Lamu County has concluded a series of public sensitization forums on a new livestock vaccination initiative that will use an electronic voucher (E-voucher) system to provide subsidized animal health services to farmers across the County.

The campaign, which be launched through the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, is part of the national Food System Resilience Project (FSRP).

The exercise will support the vaccination of livestock against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which continue to pose serious threats to food security and the livelihoods of pastoral communities.

The vaccination drive will target 200,000 cattle, 170,000 goats, and 80,000 sheep across the county.

The E-voucher system will enable livestock keepers to access vaccination services at a subsidized cost.

Under the program:

• For each cow, the government will pay Ksh 110, while the farmer will contribute Ksh 50.

• For each goats and sheep, the government will cover Ksh 10, and the farmer will pay Ksh 3.

The campaign is set to run in 13 counties across Kenya’s northern frontier, a region where livestock remains a key economic activity and a primary source of livelihood.

County officials have urged farmers to take advantage of the program and ensure their animals are vaccinated on time when the program kicked off.

They also emphasized that protecting livestock from disease is essential to improving productivity and strengthening resilience against climate and economic shocks.

Farmers who are not registered in accessing the E-voucher service will be registered through local veterinary offices or outreach teams visiting villages during the exercise.

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For more information contact Communication office at

Communication@lamu.go.ke.

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