LAMU, Kenya – Political leaders and elders in Lamu County have called for a fresh survey of the contentious Darusalam Point in Ishakani, as a territorial dispute with neighboring Garissa County escalates.
For weeks, Lamu leaders have accused their counterparts in Garissa of wrongfully claiming ownership of the area, which they argue has always belonged to Lamu.
The issue stems from a recent government gazette notice that placed the region under Garissa County’s administrative jurisdiction. Lamu leaders claim this decision was a grave error, compounded by the posting of a local chief from Garissa to the area.
They warn that the situation could spark regional tensions if not swiftly addressed.
At a meeting last weekend, Lamu’s political leaders, elders, lawyers, and activists gathered to address what they see as the annexation of Darusalam Point.
Lawyer Yusuf Abubakar, speaking on behalf of the group, said they plan to engage surveyors to verify the boundaries based on historical maps, the District and Province Act, and long-standing administrative records.
“We will convene with Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and other leaders to discuss the matter further. Surveyors will be dispatched to Ishakani to compile a report confirming that the area is within Lamu County’s jurisdiction,” Abubakar stated.
Once completed, the report will be submitted to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, along with a request to de-gazette the new administrative map and restore Darusalam Point to Lamu.
Should the request be denied, Lamu leaders have vowed to escalate the issue by petitioning Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi or seeking legal redress in court.
The dispute has drawn the attention of national leaders. Lamu Nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla recently wrote to Mudavadi, urging his intervention to prevent the conflict from spiraling into inter-communal tensions.
Abdalla warned that such disputes often have far-reaching consequences, undermining peace and stability in the region.
Lamu East MP Captain Ruweida Obo also voiced her opposition, revealing that she had mobilized the local community to reject the new administrator from Garissa.
According to Obo, the gazette notice annexed around 10 kilometers of Lamu’s Indian Ocean coastline, transferring it to Garissa.
“This area has always been part of Lamu East Constituency, and we will not allow even an inch of it to be taken from us,” she declared.
The disputed region, primarily inhabited by the Bajuni community, is of significant strategic and economic importance.
It lies near the contested maritime border between Kenya and Somalia, believed to be rich in natural resources like natural gas.
Lamu leaders argue that transferring the area to Garissa would deprive their county of access to these resources, hindering its economic development.
Bajuni elder Sultan Omar Shariff echoed the resolve of local leaders, vowing to protect Lamu’s borders by all means necessary.
“We will not allow any part of Lamu to fall under Garissa,” he affirmed.
For weeks, Lamu leaders have accused their counterparts in Garissa of wrongfully claiming ownership of the area, which they argue has always belonged to Lamu.
The issue stems from a recent government gazette notice that placed the region under Garissa County’s administrative jurisdiction. Lamu leaders claim this decision was a grave error, compounded by the posting of a local chief from Garissa to the area.
They warn that the situation could spark regional tensions if not swiftly addressed.
At a meeting last weekend, Lamu’s political leaders, elders, lawyers, and activists gathered to address what they see as the annexation of Darusalam Point.
Lawyer Yusuf Abubakar, speaking on behalf of the group, said they plan to engage surveyors to verify the boundaries based on historical maps, the District and Province Act, and long-standing administrative records.
“We will convene with Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and other leaders to discuss the matter further. Surveyors will be dispatched to Ishakani to compile a report confirming that the area is within Lamu County’s jurisdiction,” Abubakar stated.
Once completed, the report will be submitted to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, along with a request to de-gazette the new administrative map and restore Darusalam Point to Lamu.
Should the request be denied, Lamu leaders have vowed to escalate the issue by petitioning Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi or seeking legal redress in court.
The dispute has drawn the attention of national leaders. Lamu Nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla recently wrote to Mudavadi, urging his intervention to prevent the conflict from spiraling into inter-communal tensions.
Abdalla warned that such disputes often have far-reaching consequences, undermining peace and stability in the region.
Lamu East MP Captain Ruweida Obo also voiced her opposition, revealing that she had mobilized the local community to reject the new administrator from Garissa.
According to Obo, the gazette notice annexed around 10 kilometers of Lamu’s Indian Ocean coastline, transferring it to Garissa.
“This area has always been part of Lamu East Constituency, and we will not allow even an inch of it to be taken from us,” she declared.
The disputed region, primarily inhabited by the Bajuni community, is of significant strategic and economic importance.
It lies near the contested maritime border between Kenya and Somalia, believed to be rich in natural resources like natural gas.
Lamu leaders argue that transferring the area to Garissa would deprive their county of access to these resources, hindering its economic development.
Bajuni elder Sultan Omar Shariff echoed the resolve of local leaders, vowing to protect Lamu’s borders by all means necessary.
“We will not allow any part of Lamu to fall under Garissa,” he affirmed.
