Lamu Bags Prestigious Global Peace Prize of Tangier in Morocco

By The COAST Reporter

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Lamu County has etched its name into history after winning the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Peace Prize 2026: becoming the first county in Kenya and the first local government in Africa to receive the prestigious international award.

Lamu County emerged as the overall winner from a distinguished group of five global finalists selected from around the world. The other finalists were Manabí Province (Ecuador), North Minahasa Regency (Indonesia), São Paulo (Brazil), and Kapoeta North County (South Sudan).

The recognition underscores the international significance of the Lamu Peace Model and places Kenya and Africa at the forefront of innovative local governance for peace.

The international jury praised Lamu for institutionalizing peacebuilding through county legislation, policy, and governance structures, making peacebuilding a permanent function of local government rather than a stand-alone project.

The model brings together peacebuilding, disaster risk management, social cohesion, prevention of violent extremism, climate resilience, refugee inclusion, maritime safety, and community participation under one coordinated county framework.

Receiving the award, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy described the recognition as a victory for the people of Lamu, Kenya, and Africa.

“This award belongs to the people of Lamu who have demonstrated that dialogue, unity, and community participation can overcome even the most complex challenges. Today, the world has recognized the power of local leadership in building lasting peace.”

The governor noted that Lamu’s approach has transformed how the county addresses cross-border insecurity, climate-related disasters, violent extremism, and social tensions by embedding peacebuilding into everyday governance and public service delivery.

Among the practical initiatives showcased during the Congress were the Kiunga Solar-Powered Desalination Project, which has expanded access to clean water and strengthened resilience in Kenya’s northern coastal border region, and Lamu’s innovative camp-less refugee integration model, which has promoted peaceful coexistence between refugee and host communities.

Speaking after the award ceremony, Shee Kupi, Director of Peacebuilding and Principal Architect of the Lamu Peace Model, said the recognition demonstrates that solutions developed at the local level can have global impact.

“This award is proof that communities living in fragile environments are not defined by their challenges but by their ability to come together and build lasting solutions. Lamu’s experience shows that when peace is institutionalized through governance and supported by communities, it becomes sustainable.”

Chief Officer for Public Service Management, Ms. Khadija Fumo, who represented the county during the international panel discussions, thanked the many partners who have supported Lamu’s peacebuilding journey.

“This achievement reflects years of collaboration between the County Government, local communities, development partners, civil society, religious leaders, security agencies, and many institutions that believed in the Lamu Peace Model. We sincerely thank everyone who has walked this journey with us.”

The historic victory places the Coast Region firmly on the global map of innovation in local governance and peacebuilding, demonstrating that counties can lead in addressing some of the world’s most complex development challenges through locally driven solutions.

As the 2026 UCLG Peace Prize winner, Lamu County will continue sharing its experience with cities and municipalities around the world while strengthening partnerships to advance peace, resilience, and sustainable development.

For the people of Lamu and the entire Coast region, the award is more than international recognition—it is a celebration of resilience, unity, and the enduring belief that lasting peace begins within communities.