Lamu County has become the first county government in Kenya and the first local authority in Africa to win the 2026 United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Peace Prize, after its community-based peacebuilding programme was recognised at the UCLG World Congress in Tangier, Morocco.
The county emerged as the overall winner from a shortlist of five finalists following an international selection process that assessed local government initiatives focused on conflict resolution, social cohesion and community resilience.
The award recognised the Lamu Peace Model, a county-led approach that integrates peacebuilding with disaster preparedness, climate resilience, prevention of violent extremism, refugee integration, maritime safety and public participation in governance.
Speaking after receiving the award, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said the recognition reflected the collective efforts of residents and stakeholders who have contributed to peace and development initiatives across the county.
“This award belongs to the people of Lamu, including women mediators, youth groups, elders, religious leaders, fishermen, pastoralists, refugee and host communities, peace committees, public servants and partners who have worked together to promote peace and stability,” said Timamy.
He noted that Lamu's experience had demonstrated that addressing insecurity requires more than law enforcement measures and must also include inclusive governance, access to essential services and meaningful community participation.
Over the years, Lamu has faced a range of challenges, including cross-border security threats, climate-related shocks, displacement and concerns over violent extremism. County officials said the peace model was designed to address these issues by embedding peacebuilding initiatives into development planning and disaster response mechanisms.
Among the projects highlighted during the selection process was the Kiunga solar-powered desalination project, which has improved access to clean water in the remote border area while supporting livelihoods and reducing tensions linked to scarce resources. The county’s refugee integration programme, which promotes coexistence between refugees and host communities outside traditional camp settings, was also cited among the key initiatives.
Lamu County Director of Peacebuilding Shee Kupi said the recognition showed that local solutions can help address broader global challenges.
He said communities living in fragile environments should not be viewed solely through the lens of insecurity and vulnerability, adding that investments in inclusion and resilience can deliver sustainable results.
Chief Officer for Public Service Management Khadija Fumo, who represented the county during discussions at the congress, attributed the achievement to collaboration among government agencies, local communities, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, development partners and security institutions.
The award places Lamu among a select group of local governments internationally recognised for advancing peace, social cohesion and resilience through locally driven governance approaches.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.
Continue with Google