Forgotten communities cry out for help in Lamu County

In the remote, terror-stricken villages of Lamu County, life is a daily battle for survival. For the residents of Basuba ward, and even the officers stationed to protect them, hardship is an understatement.

This week, Members of Parliament (MPs) embarked on a fact-finding mission to understand the plight of these forgotten communities, only to be met with heartbreaking stories of neglect and resilience.

At Kiangwe village, locals poured out their frustrations to the visiting MPs, describing lives overshadowed by insecurity and deprivation.

Access to clean water, education, healthcare, and even basic safety feels like an unattainable dream for many.

"We feel like we've been abandoned," one resident told the MPs during a tense meeting at the Kiangwe shopping centre.

"We live in constant fear, without enough water, no schools for our children, and no jobs for our youth. What kind of life is this?"

Their voices, raw with emotion, painted a grim picture of life in this part of Kenya with MPs, led by Gabriel Tongoyo (Chairman of the Administration and Internal Security Committee) and Adan Yusuf Haji (Chairman of the Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee) hearing their plights.

Shockingly, even the police officers tasked with securing the area live in squalor.

At the Kiangwe Special Police Patrol Base, the MPs were taken aback by the conditions.

Dilapidated shelters and a complete lack of amenities, including modern toilets, bathrooms, and electricity, have turned the camp into a symbol of neglect.

The base hosts 40 officers who have been stationed there.

Gabriel Mwamburi, the officer in charge of the camp, revealed that officers walk up to five kilometres to fetch water.

Many have spent up to six years at the post without transfers, which they described as "punishment."

The MPs experienced the difficulties firsthand, travelling in rickety, unroadworthy vehicles used by the officers for patrols.

Education woes

At Kiangwe Primary School, the MPs saw another harsh reality. The school only caters to children up to Grade Four, leaving the rest of Basuba ward without any secondary education or national examination center.

Lamu East MP Ruweida Mohamed explained her efforts to transform the school into a boarding facility.

However, construction has stalled due to exorbitant costs and a lack of willing contractors.

"It breaks my heart to see our children's dreams fading because they don't have access to education," she said.

The MPs' tour continued to Shanga Ishakani, where residents shared similar grievances.

From poor roads to youth unemployment and the challenge of acquiring national IDs and land title deeds, the community feels stuck in a cycle of hopelessness.

"There's no dignity in living like this," a local elder lamented.

Monicah Marubu, Lamu County MP, responded with compassion, distributing food, cooking utensils, solar lights, and blankets to families in need.

"This is just a small token, but I promise to fight for your voices to be heard," she said.

For the MPs, the visit was an eye-opener. MP Tongoyo acknowledged the magnitude of the challenges, promising that their concerns would not go unheard.

"We will include every issue raised here in the report we table before the National Assembly. You have my word," he said.

MP Yusuf Haji assured residents of the government's commitment. "We are here because your cries reached the floor of the House. We came to listen, and we will act," he affirmed.

Even seasoned leaders like Hon. Dido Rasso (Saku MP) were shaken by what they witnessed. "I thought my home in Marsabit was the worst-hit hardship area, but what I've seen here is unimaginable," he added.