The Lamu Archipelago is a small group of islands situated on Kenya's northern coastline, near Somalia. It is made up of Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayuu islands. Lamu town is the headquarters of Lamu District, one of the six districts of Kenya's Coast Province. It borders the Indian Ocean to the east, the Tana River District to the southwest, the Garissa District to the north, and the Republic of Somalia to the northeast. The county has a land surface area of 6,474.7 km2, which includes the mainland and over 65 islands that form the Lamu Archipelago. The total length of the coastline is 130 km, while the land water mass area stands at 308 km. The streets of Lamu are nowhere more than eight feet wide. The proximity of the high stone walls cools the air and means that the streets are always in shadow. An unforeseen benefit of their narrowness is that there are no motor vehicles in Lamu; all transport is by handcarts and donkeys. There are over 160 historic houses clustered in Stone Town, all built to the same traditional design, with a central courtyard surrounded by long narrow galleries and a flat open roof, sometimes shaded by a palm-frond thatch shelter. Most of the houses have ornate carved wooden doors and, inside, walls of elaborate carved-plaster niches that have to be seen to be believed.
Vision
Centre of excellence in suitable management of urban development and service delivery.
Mission
To sustainably manage the development of Lamu Municipality and service delivery in town through ensuring control of land use and delivery quality socio-economic , infrastructure, environmental service to town’s residents, traders and visitors.
Functions of the Municipality
- Promotion, regulation, and provision of refuse collection and solid waste management services
- Promotion and provision of water and sanitation services and infrastructure (in areas within the Municipality not served by the Water and Sanitation Provider)
- Construction and maintenance of urban roads and associated infrastructure
- Construction and maintenance of storm drainage and flood controls
- Construction and maintenance of walkways and other non-motorized transport infrastructure
- Construction and maintenance of recreational parks and green spaces
- Construction and maintenance of street lighting
- Construction, maintenance, and regulation of traffic controls and parking facilities
- Construction and maintenance of bus stands and taxi stands
- Regulation of outdoor advertising
- Construction, maintenance, and regulation of municipal markets and abattoirs
- Construction and maintenance of fire stations; provision of fire-fighting services, emergency preparedness, and disaster management
- Promotion, regulation, and provision of municipal sports and cultural activities
- Promotion, regulation, and provision of animal control and welfare
- Development and enforcement of municipal plans and development controls
- Municipal administration services (including construction and maintenance of administrative offices)
- Promoting and undertaking infrastructural development and services within the municipality
- Any other functions as may be delegated by the County Executive Committee
Departments
- Administration
- Environment & Sanitation
- Physical Planning
- Building Inspection
- Engineering
- Enforcement
- Revenue
- Maintenance
Municipal Coverage
- Shella Ward
- Mkomani Ward
- Hindi Ward
- Part of Basuba Ward
About Lamu County
The Lamu Archipelago is a small group of islands situated on Kenya's Northern Coastline, near Somalia. It is made up of Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayuu islands.Learn More...
Main Office Address
- Mkomani, Lamu
- P.O BOX 74 – 80500.
- EMAIL: municipality@lamu.go.ke
- PHONE: 0759200303 | 0722677513
Useful Links
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