Over 30,000 guests expected to attend this year’s Lamu Cultural Festival starting November

At least 30,000 guests and tourists are expected to attend this year’s Lamu Cultural Festival in November. The three-day event, which is in its 22nd edition, will commence from November 28 to 30 in Lamu Old Town.

The county government of Lamu has already budgeted about Sh25 million to be spent on organising the event.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy anticipates this year’s fete will be mega with tourists and visitors from around the globe expected to attend.

Various sponsors have already shown positive responses in funding for the cultural fete.

The Lamu Cultural Festival is an annual event celebrated to showcase the rich culture and heritage of the Swahili people of Lamu which has captivated the world for centuries.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy. (Farhiya Hussein)

This year’s theme is ‘Lamu: Celebrating Heritage, Unity, Innovation and Economic Growth.’

Since the year began, Governor Issa has been on a marketing spree for the Lamu Cultural Festival, having already visited various embassies, airlines and other entities to seek support to ensure the event is mega.

“I have so far visited various embassies, airlines such as Safarilink and Jambo Jet and other entities to deliberate on how we can partner in the upcoming Lamu Cultural Festival slated for November. I project this year’s event will be the biggest compared to all the previous ones held in the archipelago,” he said.

During an interview with the Eastleigh Voice, Lamu County Culture, Tourism, Trade, and Investment Executive Aisha Miraj said they were looking forward to having a much bigger number of tourists who will attend this year’s Lamu cultural fete, more especially after a vibrant marketing of the festival that was done early this month during the Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2024 held in Nairobi’s Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum.

The Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) was organised by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) between 2nd and October 4, 2024.

It brought together over 300 exhibitors and 3,000 tourism professionals, a move that provided an unparalleled opportunity for industry leaders and stakeholders to ignite new collaborations and opportunities within East Africa’s thriving tourism sector.

Lamu Tourism and Culture Executive Aisha Miraj. (Farhiya Hussein)

Miraj urged local hoteliers and other tourism players in Lamu to take advantage of the mega festival, adding that it is high time they expand their premises to allow for more accommodations during the three-day event. This will help them generate enough income.

“Preparations for the 22nd edition of the Lamu Cultural Festival are on. The festival budget will be around Sh25 million. There’s a positive response on the side of sponsors as cooperates, banks, airlines, embassies and other organisations have already shown interest in financing the event. I welcome all to Lamu, the Island of Festivals,” said Miraj.

“This is a time that our hoteliers and traders take advantage of the Lamu Cultural Festival to expand their premises to accommodate more guests and tourists. Those engaging in eateries and other roles should also be actively involved in the festival activities for their benefit. This is a time to enrich yourselves.”

Lamu Tourism Association (LTA) Chair Fridah Njeri described the event as a major boost to both the tourism and trade sectors in the region.

Njeri advised revellers to ensure as they explore the cultural mosaic that surrounds them while attending this year’s Lamu Cultural Festival, they should, as well, find inspiration and appreciation for the traditions that make the Lamu community truly exceptional.

Participants during the 21st edition of the Lamu Cultural Festival in November 2023. This year's 22nd edition of the festival is set to begin from November 28 to 30 in Lamu Old Town. (Farhiya Hussein)

She noted that Lamu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as listed in 2001 and that setting it as the centre of the annual cultural fete is paramount.

“Welcome all to enjoy our cultural diversity. Attendees here will have all sorts of entertainment,” said Njeri.

Every time it is held, the Lamu Cultural Festival always offers attendees a rare opportunity to see traditional dances, the famous donkey race, dhow races, swimming competition, henna painting and cultural display of the Swahili people who are renowned for their craftsmanship and traditional skills including wood carving from the county all in one place with the fast-paced donkey race competition attracting hundreds of spectators.

Tourism and trade stakeholders interviewed also expressed optimism that their sectors would be boosted by the event.

Lamu Cultural Festival founder and hotelier, Ghalib Alwy said the peak season has already seen many tourists, both local and international, flocking to Lamu.

Alwy said he expects more bookings as they approach the Lamu Cultural Festival and the December Festive season.

“There have been positive bookings in our hotels and we expect our premises to be fully booked even before the cultural festival comes. The tourist numbers have been very impressive with the cultural festival. We welcome everyone to Lamu,” said Alwy.