•For several weeks, leaders from Lamu and Garissa counties have been embroiled in a dispute over the area, with the former accusing their counterparts of unjustly claiming ownership.
•Lamu leaders said the national government erred by gazetting the region under Garissa County's administrative jurisdiction.
Image: / FILE
The contentious Darusalam Point in Ishakani, Lamu county, is set to undergo a fresh survey, according to political leaders and elders.
For several weeks, leaders from Lamu and Garissa counties have been embroiled in a dispute over the area, with the former accusing their counterparts of unjustly claiming ownership.
Lamu leaders said the national government erred by gazetting the region under Garissa county's administrative jurisdiction.
They also claimed a local chief had already been posted to the area.
Last weekend, Lamu’s political leaders and elders held a meeting to address the annexation of Darusalam Point, warning that the issue could escalate regional tensions and conflict if not resolved swiftly.
Bajuni Council of Elders, political leaders, lawyers and activists attended the meeting.
Lawyer Yusuf Abubakar, who read the resolutions, said the Lamu leadership had decided to engage surveyors to verify the boundaries.
Abubakar said, according to the District and Province Act, historical maps, and long-standing administrative records, Ishakani is part of Lamu.
“We will convene another meeting with Lamu county leadership, led by Governor Issa Timamy, to discuss the matter further. Surveyors will then be dispatched to Ishakani to compile a report confirming that the area is indeed within Lamu county’s jurisdiction,” Abubakar said.
He said the report would be submitted to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, requesting the de-gazettement of the new administrative map and the return of the area to Lamu’s jurisdiction.
“If CS Kindiki does not de-gazette the new boundaries, Lamu leaders will petition Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to intervene. If that fails, we will have no choice but to seek legal redress in court,” Abubakar said.
Last week, Lamu Nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla wrote to Mudavadi, urging intervention to prevent the territorial dispute from escalating into inter-communal tensions.
“As you are aware, such disputes often have far-reaching consequences, undermining peace and stability in affected areas. The government must maintain harmony and prevent any actions that could lead to unnecessary disputes, violence, or unrest,” Abdalla said.
The region, located within Kiunga, is primarily inhabited by the Bajuni community, which is native to Lamu. The residents have consistently participated in elections in Lamu.
Abdalla said Lamu county could lose significant strategic and economic benefits if Dar es Salaam Point is annexed.
The location borders the disputed maritime area between Kenya and Somalia, which is believed to be rich in natural gas and other valuable resources.
"Transferring this area to Garissa county would unfairly deprive Lamu residents of rightful access to these resources, hindering the county’s economic prospects and development," she explained.
Lamu East MP Captain Ruweida Obo said she mobilised the community to reject the local administrator recently posted to Ishakani.
She said the new gazette notice annexed at least 10 kilometres of Lamu’s Indian Ocean coastline and placed it under Garissa.
“This area has always been part of Lamu East Constituency and falls under the Lamu County Commissioner, administratively. We will not allow even an inch of it to be taken from us,” she said.
Bajuni elder Sultan Omar Shariff also opposed the move, vowing to use all available means to protect Lamu’s borders.
"We will not allow any part of Lamu to fall under Garissa," he said.