The County Assembly of Lamu participated in a two-day workshop at the Voyager Hotel in Nyali, Mombasa, aimed at reviewing the County Spatial Plan (CSP). This gathering brought together Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), senior county officials, and development partners to work collaboratively on Lamu’s spatial planning framework. The County Spatial Plan is crucial for guiding the use of land, the location of infrastructure, and the establishment of development priorities throughout Lamu. Keeping it up to date is vital to ensure that the county grows in a well-planned and fair manner, reflecting the needs of its residents and the opportunities that arise. The workshop was kicked off by Hon. Tashrifa Mohamed, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development. She highlighted how the CSP serves as a crucial foundation for balanced and coordinated growth in the area. Participants heard from various development partners as well.
Mr. Florian Lux, Project Manager at UNEP and UN-Habitat, reaffirmed their support for Lamu’s planning process. Mr. Ole Vestergaard, a Programme Management Officer at UNEP, emphasized the need for collaboration to foster sustainable development across both urban and rural areas. The Chief Officer for Lands and Urban Development and the Director of Physical Planning also shared valuable insights during the sessions.
MCAs engaged deeply in discussions, sharing their thoughts on how the CSP could better improve service delivery and equity in Lamu. Hon. Atwaa Salim and Hon. Aisha Abdulrahman were selected to represent their colleagues and present their shared views. During the workshop, participants learned about the Go Blue Project, which connects coastal opportunities with development.
Nathan also delivered a presentation about “From Land to Sea: A New Frontier for National Development,” highlighting the importance of spatial planning in shaping Lamu’s future. One key session involved reviewing flagship projects suggested by residents during public participation. MCAs assessed these projects to identify the most important and feasible ones for inclusion in the revised CSP, ensuring that the plan represents the true aspirations of the community.
Members of the Lamu County Assembly attentively listening to the Presentations during the Stakeholder County Spatial Plan Review Workshop. The Majority Leader of the County Assembly expressed gratitude for the contributions from all stakeholders and reaffirmed the Assembly’s dedication to voicing the people’s needs in county planning. The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Hon. Tashrifa Mohamed and the Deputy Speaker of the County Assembly of Lamu, both thanking participants and stressing the need for ongoing collaboration as the CSP progresses.
As the voice of the people, the County Assembly of Lamu is committed to making sure that the updated County Spatial Plan is not just a technical document, but a living framework that captures the hopes and dreams of its residents. This plan aims to promote fair service delivery and sustainable development for both today and future generations.