Basuba residents in Lamu East face decades of abandonment, MPs say
The Ward currently lacks chiefs and assistant chiefs, leaving residents without formal leadership or local governance.
Parliamentary committees have sounded the alarm over the deep-rooted marginalisation of residents in Basuba Ward, Lamu East, urging the government to act swiftly to provide essential services and restore basic administration.
A joint fact-finding report by the Security, Foreign Affairs, and National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity committees described the situation as “both revealing and disturbing”, highlighting the decades-long neglect faced by the Awer community.
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“The residents of Basuba Ward, predominantly from the Awer community, have endured persistent marginalisation, insecurity and lack of essential infrastructure and amenities,” Security Committee Chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo said.
“The testimonies we collected underline the urgent need for targeted interventions and inclusive policies that address the historical injustices faced by the indigenous populations.”
The fact-finding mission was prompted by a plea from Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu.
During their visit, the legislators observed that Basuba residents have lived without meaningful government presence for years, despite repeated security challenges and displacement incidents affecting the area.
The Ward currently lacks chiefs and assistant chiefs, leaving residents without formal leadership or local governance.
Schools operate without trained teachers, forcing children to walk long distances or miss classes entirely.
Health facilities are practically non-existent, while roads remain in poor condition, isolating communities from essential services, markets, and government support.
The committees described the state of affairs as unacceptable and called on relevant ministries to intervene without delay.
They recommended posting chiefs to establish formal administration, hiring qualified teachers to revive education, setting up at least one fully equipped dispensary, and constructing reliable road networks to connect Basuba with the rest of Lamu.
Members of Parliament warned that continued neglect could worsen insecurity, increase poverty, and deepen marginalisation in a region already affected by past terror attacks and repeated displacement.
They urged the national government to recognise Basuba as a priority area, ensuring that residents enjoy the same rights and services as citizens in other regions.
“Establish the office of a chief in Basuba Ward, which currently lacks one and ensure that the office is operational within the first financial year immediately after the adoption of this report by the house,” the report reads.
“The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) should immediately identify and absorb all qualified teachers from indigenous communities in Lamu East into the teaching service and ensure equitable deployment of teachers to all schools in the subcounty within two financial years immediately after the adoption of this report by the house.”
The MPs’ recommendations are aimed at addressing long-standing inequalities and providing a foundation for sustainable development in Basuba, ensuring that residents are no longer left behind.
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