Lamu Old Town

Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa,
retaining its traditional functions. Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the
town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such
features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors.
Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has
become a significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.

your mode of transportation in and around the island here they use donkeys as
cars and other motorized vehicles do not exist on the island

Background

Lamu County has a population of 101,539 and an area of 6,273.1km2. Founded

in the 14th Century, Lamu Island which is part of the County is one of the original
Swahili settlements along the coast of Eastern Africa with tourism being a major
economic activity.

Location: Located in the northern coast of Kenya. It borders the following

counties; Garissa to the North, The Indian Ocean to the South and South East,
and Tana River to the South West and West.

Area (Km 2): 6,273.1 Km 2

Climate/Weather: The average temperature is 27.3 C and rainfall averages

950mm per annum.

Road Network: Bitumen Surface (6 Km), Gravel Surface (161.1 Km), Earth Surface
(521.5 Km)

Constituency

Lamu east
Lamu west

Wards

1. Mkomani
2. Shella
 3. Faza
4. Kiunga
5. Basuba
6. Hindi
7. Mkunumbi
8. Hongwe
9. Bahari
10. Witu

Population: 101,539 (Male 52 %, Female 48 %)

Population Density: 16 people per Km 2

National Percentage: 0.26 %

Annual Growth Rate: 2.47 %

Age Distribution: 0-14 years (41.7 %), 15-64 years (54.8 %), 65+ years (3.5 %)

Number of Households: 22,184

Amenities

Boni - Dodori National Reserve, Lamu Museum, Lamu Fort, Siyu Fort, Takwa Ruins,
Swahili House, German Post Office, Lamu Old Town, Kiunga Marine National
Reserve

Education

Poverty Level: 31.6%

Number of Institutions (2007): Primary (70), Secondary (11)
Primary Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1:57 (Public Schools)
Secondary Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1:35 (Public Schools)

Potential

Through Vision 2030, the Government of Kenya (GOK) has expressed plans
to undertake a multipurpose transport and communication corridor
known as the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET)
Corridor. LAPSSET will consist of a standard gauge railway line, a port, a
 super highway, a regional international airport, an ultra-modern tourist
resort, an oil pipeline, and a fibre-optic cable constructed to link Lamu to
Juba and Addis Ababa.
The anticipated development of Lamu Port has placed the county into
focus by investors prospecting business opportunities. The new Lamu Port
will consist of 750 acres with 10 container terminal berths and three bulk
cargo berths, an oil jetty and an international airport.
Other components of the project will be a three-lined, 1.4m gauge
railway for high speed trains for Lamu Isiolo-South Sudan (1,400km),
Nairobi-Isiolo-Moyale-Addis Ababa (1,596km) and Lamu Mombasa
(350km).
Also proposed are three oil pipeline stretching to South Sudan border via
Lamu-Isiolo (1,500km); Nairobi-Isiolo-Moyale-Addis Ababa (1,400km) a
branch link to Lamu to the current Mombasa-Kampala pipeline.
Professionals and businessmen are swarming the ancient town to give it a
major makeover. The key industries expected to sprout here range from
shipping, logistics, banking & insurance and real estate ventures.
Presence of the Mangrove forest presents a biodiversity edge.
It is among the most promising areas along the Kenyan coast with
hydrocarbon potential. Gas has already been discovered in the Lamu
Basin. This is the first discovery of gas in Kenya at a depth of 2,553 meters.
The exploring firm plans to continue drilling up to a depth of 3,275 meters.

Challenges

Has one of the highest household mean size in the country

There are widespread evictions by ranch owners in the area
High insecurity as a result of the Al-Shaabab terror threat.

Health

Health Facilities: 42 - District Hospitals (1), Sub-District Hospitals (2), Dispensaries

(20), Health Centres (5), Medical Clinics (13), Nursing Home (1)

Doctor to Population Ratio: 1:36,343

Infant Mortality Rates: 72/1000

Under Five Mortality Rates: 123/1000

Prevalent Diseases: Malaria, Respiratory Tract Infections and Skin Diseases.

Notable Hospitals: Lamu District Hospital, Faza Hospital, Mpeketoni Sub-District

Hospital

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN LAMU COUNTY

Lamu Old Town is one of Kenyas oldest well-preserved Swahili settlements with
some dwellings dating back to the 19th century. The architecture of many of the
old buildings in Lamu is a hybrid of Arabian, Indian and Swahili designs. The
island is mainly unique for its use of donkeys as the major mode of transport. The
majority of the population is Muslims. It was by virtue of its cultural uniqueness
that Lamu was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

Following are some of the major tourist attractions in Lamu:

1. Lamu Cultural Festival: This festival, co-ordinated by Lamu Cultural

Promotion Group, is held every year in November and promotes the
preservation of Swahili cultural heritage. Dhow, speedboat and donkey
racing, Swahili poetry, traditional dances and Swahili bridal ceremonies
are some of the major attractions during this festival. Many local and
international tourists are attracted to this event.

2. Maulidi Festival: This festival is celebrated every year to mark the birth of
Prophet Mohamed. Traditional dances, henna dying competitions, dhow
and donkey racing and swimming competitions also mark this event. This
is a form of religious tourism and attracts many Muslims from all over the
country

3. Stoneworks and woodworks: Lamu furniture is popular Kenyawide

especially the Lamu doors because of their unique designs and security.
Many tourists to Lamu are attracted by the various designs of Lamu doors,
furniture and house designs, beadworks and miniature dhows.

4. Siyu: It is a 15th century Islamic town. Most tourists to this town are
attracted by the Siyu Fort (built by the Omani Arabs) and ancient tombs.

5. Faza: Founded in the 13th century, Faza is well known for its Kunjanja
Mosque and the ruins of Shala Fatani Mosque.
 6. Shanga Ruins: Located in Pate Island, Shanga Ruins date to the 14th
Century and depict remains of two mosques, a cemetery and some
tombs. The name shanga is derived from the name shanghai and the
town is thought to be an old Chinese settlement.

7. Lake Kenyatta: This lake, located in Mpeketoni, is important for scenic

tours and also is frequented by zebra, buffaloes and antelopes. However,
the attraction is not well developed.

8. Deep sea fishing and snorkeling: Tourists to Lamu can do deep sea fishing
in the ocean or do dhow safaris and evening cruises (sundowners).
Snorkeling is also done in the Kiunga Marine Park.

9. Mangrove Tours: The many mangroves in Lamu Island, Manda and as you
head towards Kipungani are a source of scenic tourism. Special-interest-
tourists are also attracted to these forests.

10. Lamu Fort: It is an ancient historic relic located at Mkunguni area that is
currently used for meetings. It is also a tourist attraction.

11. German Post Office: It is located in Mkunguni and is one of the major
tourist attractions in Lamu town.

12. Lamu Museum: Located in the heart of the town along the seafront, Lamu
Museum is a storehouse of knowledge of the cultural heritage of Lamu.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN LAMU COUNTY

The county is endowed with substantial natural resources for economic
development. These include over 5500 km2 of arable land, large tracks of
natural forest, rich diversity of fauna and flora, marine resources and minerals
including oil, and gas. Since the region has remained remote and
underdeveloped for decades, there is a wide space available for innovation.
From infrastructure to population services, our government is able to creatively
develop Lamu by having a blank template for ideas. The main opportunities for
Investment include:

1. Fisheries
Fishing contributes up to 75% of the local economy in Lamu County, amounting
to an estimate of over 250 million Kshs. Deep sea and inland fishing however
remain highly untapped and therefore revenue estimates are predicted to grow
much higher upon the increase of investors. The warm waters of the Indian
ocean fosters both a large quantity and variety of saline fish, crab, lobsters, and
shrimp. Sport fishing is also highly popular with tourists including Marlin. Sailfish,
Tuna, and many more. Lamu welcomes investors in fish processing plants among
others.

2. Agriculture
Farming is a growing economy in the region, including fruits, vegetables, grain,
and other cash crops such as coconut and cashew. While the cash crop
industry is blooming, opportunities for manufacturing herbal teas and essential
oils remain to be exploited and cross-regional trade is expected to develop
further with the improvement of the Lamu-Malindi Road.

3. Livestock
Largely unknown by many investors is that Lamu is home to a large number of
pastoralists. Fresh whole milk, beef, hide, and other animal by-products are
widely available in the region. Unfortunately the market is highly untapped by
investors and most trading occurs in local markets on a small-scale. The County
is therefore open to the creation of livestock trading markets, slaughterhouses
and processing plants for milk and other related by-products.

4. Tourism
Lamu County is undeniably Kenyas top destination as it prides itself with some of
the richest marine ecology, terrestrial wildlife, pristine beaches, and one of the
oldest cultural heritage in Kenya, dating back to the 14th century. Tourists are
accommodated over 200 hotels with a bed capacity of almost 2,000. This is
however inadequate and is too restricted to holiday resorts with very few
lodges, and conference facilities. Investment opportunities in the tourism sector
are vast as the local tourism, business tourism, and wildlife safari markets are yet
to be fully exploited. Other opportunities that are available are tour operations,
eco-tourism, sports and adventure tourism activities, establishment of cruise ships
destinations and much more. With its 130 km of sandy beach coastline and
diverse tourist attractions, this sector has huge potential for growth, if effective
marketing is done.
 5. Culture
Lamu prides itself with having a diverse social fabric consisting of numerous
ethnic and indigenous groups. Lamu Island in particular has a long history,
including traders and explorers from Portugal, India, China, Turkey and much of
the Middle East whose marks could still be felt in the area. The arts include
woodcarving and furniture making, to boatbuilding and jewellery and from
calligraphy to poetry. The tangible arts renowned in Lamu include craftsmanship
such as the famous Lamu doors, traditional dhows, wooden carvings, woven
works, and much more art and craft resulting from the centuries of trade that is
unmatched in most of Kenya. Lamu also has a rich history of musical arts and
has borne many national artistes in Kenya. Unfortunately, Lamu County does not
have a cultural centre that celebrates and nurtures craftsmanship and arts. The
export sector for handcrafts is also highly untapped due to the lack of a large
scale manufacturing industries and exporters.

6. Transport and Infrastructure

Physical infrastructure is a fundamental prerequisite for job creation, and
providing an enabling business environment. With the anticipated development
of transport infrastructure from the Lamu Port, South-Sudan, Transport (LAPSSET)
Corridor, the opportunities in Lamu are expected to grow. The project will
comprise a new road network, a railway line, an oil refinery, an oil pipeline, an
international airport, a resort city and a free port. In addition, opportunities exist
in the development of smaller road networks within the County.

7. Banking and Finance

Lamu has had an exponential growth in the opening of new banking institutions
in the County, with three new banks opening up in Lamu Island within one year
alone. Financing is expected to play a major role in Lamu as the demand for
microfinance and loan packages increase in the region. Local and international
companies, individuals, and organisations continually seek for competitive
financing rates as the County opens up for international and regional trade
through the northern transport corridor.

8. Housing
One of the key priorities in Lamu is providing affordable housing. With the
identification of new County headquarters in Mokowe, an underdeveloped
town, and coming of the Lamu port, there is an expected increase in
population, and thereby increasing demand for real estate and rental property.

9. Energy and Mining

Being a largely underdeveloped region but with a rapidly increasing population,
this leaves a highly open space for investors interested in provision of electricity.
Since Lamu has largely been dependant on generator-powered electricity,
investors are invited to provide green and sustainable energy solutions for the
County. Furthermore, oil and gas explorations in the region provide a great
potential for investors in the energy sector. Minerals that can be found in Lamu
include Titanium, salt, and limestone, in addition to construction materials such
as coral stones, cement rocks, and sand.

10. Social Services

According to our manifesto, education, health, and safe access to drinking
water are of the highest priority. Having a largely underutilized youth work-force,
the prioritization of education will allow for a growth in man-power, thereby
increasing productivity and efficiency in the region. There is a rapidly increasing
population resulting from LAPSSET requiring essential social services yet the
region lacks adequate number of health and education institutions. There is
currently no University in Lamu. With the vaste idle land that we have, universities
are welcome to develop as well as private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies to
cater for the international travelers frequenting the region.