Lamu County

Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Lamu County

Geography of Lamu County

Lamu County’s 6273.1 km2 is composed of a coastal zone of islands, its creeks, bays, sand bars and mangrove swamps that are rich with marine resources. The islands consists of the Lamu-Kiunga Archipelago which incorporates a chain of about 50 small calcareous offshore islands and coral reefs extending 60 kms parallel and close to the coastline. Among these string of islands is Lamu Island that hosts Lamu Town. These shelter an extensive system of creeks, channels and mangrove forests and are significant biodiversity areas. Most of the islands are fully enclosed within the Kiunga Marine National Reserve. The mainland area consists of forested areas and grasslands that are habitat to diverse wildlife including birds and primates. Dodori National Reserve is set on the mainland in Kiunga area and is wholly in Lamu. Boni National Reserves is located along the northern border with Garissa with only a small strip stretching along the border. To the southern end of Lamu Country area sits the Witu Forest Reserve.

Land Use in Lamu County

Crop production in Lamu County is mainly undertaken on the main land, with main crops cultivated to include: maize, cassava, peas and green grams. Cash crops cultivated include: cotton, cassava, coconut, mangoes, bananas, bixa and mangroves. 42% of households’ income is from cotton. Because of the sandy soil on the majority of the 50 islands, only limited large cultivation is possible e.g tobacco plantations in Pate and of coconuts, mangoes and bananas in Lamu.

Highlights in Lamu County

Tourism is a major economic activity in the County. It enjoys unique advantage as a tourist destination influenced by its rich diversity of cultural identity, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its fauna and flora. The three main islands of Lamu, Manda and Pate are a blend of deep blue channels, coral reef, wide sandy beaches and protected bays. There are three National Reserves and three private ranches which are home to diverse species of fauna. Lamu has three tourist class hotels and 181 unclassified hotels with a total bed capacity of 1881.

View of small islands near Kiyau Island. Photo Courtesy of Mike's Camp — View of small islands near Kiyau Island. Image Courtesy of Mike’s Camp

Population in Lamu County

Lamu County’s population as projected in 2012 stood at 112,551 people. Lamu Town, which is its capital, is also the main urban centre. Mpeketoni, which is rapidly developing, is the main market centre and has the potential to surpass Lamu Town. Lamu County is made up of cosmopolitan population composed of indigenous communities mainly of Swahilis, Arabs, Korei, Boni, and the Ormas.

Airports in Lamu County

Lamu County has 13 airstrips: 11 public and 2 private. Manda is the main line of aerial communication, with 3 major airline companies providing routine daily flights. The rest of the airstrips are not very active, used by small charter planes.

Roads in Lamu County

Lamu County has a total road network of 688.6 kms, with only 6 kms being tarmacked, making travelling by road troublesome especially during the rainy season. The two main roads are the C112 Mokowe-Garsen Road connecting to the rest of the coast counties and Mokowe-Kiunga Road connecting to Somalia.

Climate in Lamu County

Lamu County enjoys two rainy seasons and temperatures range between 23 to 32 degrees Celsius year round. Lamu lies along the Equatorial Climate Systems where the weather is typified by two monsoon winds and warm climate. The mean annual evaporation is high at 2,327 mm per year and the temperatures ranges between 24°C and 30°C. Generally and over the last 30 years, there has been an increase in both the annual average rainfall and mean temperature in Lamu. Hottest months are December to April while the coldest are May to July.