LEPAC: Save the Lamu Archipelago

LEPAC: Save the Lamu Archipelago: "Dear Friends of Lamu: Most of us are watching uneasily as the plans for the proposed port are made in Nairobi among high-level government of..."

Michael Asher: Kenya is better off without Lamu port - The Star | A Political Kenya in 2010: Latest Breaking News and Politics

Michael Asher: Kenya is better off without Lamu port - The Star | A Political Kenya in 2010: Latest Breaking News and Politics

Chinese Archaelogists Arrive in Lamu

A team of Chinese archaeologists specializing in underwater excavations has arrived in Lamu to find the 15th century Chinese ship or junk that sank off Pate Island. The ship lies buried in an unknown underwater location. The archaeologists are waiting for their diving equipment to arrive to begin surveys to find the ship and all its contents.

The underwater excavation is a joint project between the National Museums of Kenya and the Beijing National Museum.

Photo: Reception for archaeologists held at Lamu Fort, 16 December.

Mau Mau Detainees in Lamu

The Lamu Museum has uncovered forgotten documents pertaining to Mau Mau detainees who were held by the British on Manda Island in the 1950s. According to Abdulqadir Mbarak, Lamu's curator, the files were left in a storeroom in the Lamu Fort and forgotten for half a century. His surprising find brings to light more information about Asians who were detained along with Kikuyu freedom fighters.

Read more about the Mau Mau documents in the Daily Nation.

Editors Note for Issue 10

How quickly things are happening on the North Coast. For instance, we have surveyors examining the shores for the new port project the government is committed to develop near Magogoni, across from Pate Island in the Lamu Archipelago. And in September, the Ministry of Transport invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from companies for dredging, building shipping berths and building support infrastructure like access roads and railway sidings. The government has also hired Japan Port Consultants to draw up a feasibility study for the project and this is expected to be tabled by January 2011 at a cost of Ksh 3.2 billion, according to sources.

Also large earth-moving equipment is reported to be moving in the direction of the proposed port and surveyors have been sighted placing locators along its waterfront. More planes than usual are flying over the area, perhaps providing aerial surveys for development purposes. All of these activities have an official peal. There is however unofficial movement afoot as well, such as land speculators and people arriving to suss out job opportunities. It reminds me of a gold rush: even hint gold and a crowd follows, with many unscrupulous characters joining the fold hoping to prosper from the run. We need our local authority to curb the adverse effects of this huge development on the welfare of the local community and to take a proactive stand to ensure environmental sustainability.

Also among the happenings is the welcome news that title deeds on Shela Beach have been cancelled in the area earmarked as Lamu’s water catchment (see Chonjo, issue 9). While this is a good step towards reclaiming the fragile ecosystem that provides our water supply for the island, the Ministry of Lands needs to cancel more title deeds to ensure our future water capacity.

Then there is the fact that Chinese archaeologists are excavating areas in Mambrui to uncover evidence of their early trading along the East African coast in the 14th century. And plans are afoot to salvage a Chinese ship off Shanga on Pate Island where it sank centuries ago. While the port development is tangled in our future, archaeologists are trying to unravel the past of the Swahili coast―and it may be that the Chinese are the main characters in both. Ironic.

Lamu Cultural Festival 25th to 28th November

Last Words

Lamu Port’s Environmental Impact Assessment Report

The mud slinging has begun. It is only natural that there will be two (or more) sides on the issue of building a port in Lamu District. It is to be expected. But mud slinging is another thing. I read recently in the Daily Nation that Lamu’s member of parliament, Mr Fahim Twaha, has accused the National Museums of Kenya of being used by “enemies of development” to derail the port project, for the simple and very legal reason that the museums requested a cultural impact assessment study. Instead of debunking the idea of assessment, Hon. Twaha should be lauding them for standing up and demanding an assessment report.

I think it is safe to say that all stakeholders want to see a responsible and exhaustive environmental impact assessment report, which by today’s standards includes a cultural or social component to its research findings. This doesn’t mean that stakeholders are anti-port or “anti-development” as is alleged. Rather, it should point to people wanting responsible development, sustainable development, particularly with a development project of such magnitude.

Let’s face it, the port is a humongous project and billions of shillings will be spent to make it happen. That is even more reason to make sure that we do it right, not only for the nation and its vision, but also for those who live in Lamu, Pate and the adjacent mainland areas and depend on the coastal environment for their livelihood.

What I hear people saying about the port development is that they want to be involved; they want to have their concerns realistically addressed; they want to be part of an interactive platform with the government. What they are not saying is that they object to the port development off hand.

So let’s stop mud slinging; it only makes people dirty. Instead, we need to have more dialogue that allows people to discuss their concerns. And most importantly, we need an assessment report to be made public so that we can begin the dialogue.

Concerned Citizen

Lamu