Lamu County on World's Prestigious Global Participatory Democracy Award

By The COAST Reporter

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

County Calls on Kenyans and Global Partners to Support International Public Vote

Lamu, Kenya | 8 July 2026: The County Government of Lamu has achieved another remarkable international milestone after being shortlisted among the Top 40 participatory democracy practices in the world in the prestigious 20th Observatory of Participatory Democracy (OIDP) Award 2026.

The recognition follows a highly competitive global process that attracted 188 submissions from local and regional governments worldwide.

The county is proud to be one of only four African finalists and the only Kenyan county to reach this stage of the competition.

The shortlisted initiative, “From Fragility to Trust: Building Democratic and Peaceful Communities through Participation,” showcases how Lamu transformed public participation from a statutory requirement into a practical tool for peacebuilding, conflict prevention, social cohesion, and inclusive governance.

Since 2020, the county government has progressively institutionalised participatory governance by ensuring that women, youth, elders, persons with disabilities, minority communities, and residents of remote and historically marginalized areas actively contribute to county planning, budgeting, development projects, civic education, and peacebuilding initiatives.

The county’s commitment to participatory democracy was further strengthened when Governor Issa Timamy, EGH, assented to the Lamu County Public Participation and Civic Education Act in late 2024.

During the assent, the governor reaffirmed that meaningful public participation is the cornerstone of accountable, transparent, and people-centred governance, emphasizing that development can only be sustainable when citizens are actively involved in shaping decisions that affect their lives.

The Act has since provided a strong legal framework that guarantees inclusive citizen engagement and has become a key pillar of Lamu’s internationally recognised participatory governance model.

This international recognition is the culmination of a long journey of innovation and collaboration. The journey began in 2019 when the Council of Governors (CoG) with support from UNDP, facilitated the development of Lamu County’s Public Participation Framework laying the foundation for institutionalising meaningful citizen engagement.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the county introduced one of Kenya’s most innovative public participation initiatives by reviving the traditional town criers.

Riding a donkey through villages and narrow streets inaccessible to vehicles, the town crier disseminated information on universal health coverage, county budgeting, and COVID-19 prevention measures while collecting community feedback.

This innovation earned national recognition during the launch of the Compendium of County Innovations and Best Practices Undertaken during COVID-19 on February 28, 2022.

In 2023, the director of disaster risk nanagement and peace building, Shee Kupi Shee, OGW, received the CoGs’ Devolution Warrior Award for Innovative Public Participation. A recognition that inspired further innovation and strengthened Lamu’s commitment to inclusive governance.

The initiative is distinguished by its commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.

Despite operating in a county facing cross-border security challenges, difficult maritime conditions, and remote communities accessible only through challenging terrain, the Public Service Management (PSM) Department in the Office of the Governor consistently found innovative and safe ways to engage every community.

Whether conducting public participation on county budgets, development projects, civic education, or peacebuilding forums, the team worked closely with local leaders and security agencies to reach marginalized populations, ensuring that every voice had an opportunity to shape county decisions.

The achievement has already attracted national attention with the CoGs’ Maarifa Centre publicly rallying Kenyans to support Lamu during the global public voting phase through its official communication platforms.(Twitter)

Welcoming the international recognition, Governor Timamy described the achievement as a victory for the people of Lamu and Kenya’s devolution journey.

“When I assented to the Lamu County Public Participation and Civic Education Act, I reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that every resident of Lamu has the right and opportunity to participate in decisions that shape their future.

This global recognition demonstrates that when government genuinely listens to its people. We build stronger institutions, lasting peace, and sustainable development. I congratulate our communities, the County Assembly, county staff, and all our partners for making Lamu a global example of inclusive and participatory governance.”

Shee Kupi Shee, director of disaster risk management and peace building, said the recognition reflects years of determination to ensure that no community is excluded from governance.

“This recognition is not just about being among the world’s Top 40. It is about proving that democracy is strongest when every voice matters. Despite cross-border security challenges, difficult maritime conditions, and remote communities that are often hard to reach, our guiding principle has always been simple: leave no one behind.

Whether conducting public participation on county budgets, development projects, civic education, or peace forums, we found innovative and safe ways to ensure every community had a voice. Today, that commitment has earned Lamu a place on the global stage.”

Public service management chief officer Khadija Fumo said the recognition demonstrates that inclusive governance was achieved when participation was institutionalised and embraced across government and communities.

“This recognition affirms that public participation is no longer an event in Lamu—it is part of how we govern. Through the Public Participation and Civic Education Act, we have strengthened accountability, transparency, and citizen ownership of development. Every budget, policy, development project, and peace initiative is now enriched by the voices of our communities. We are proud that Lamu’s participatory governance model is now inspiring global conversations on democratic and peaceful communities,” she said.

The county government calls upon Lamu residents, all Kenyans, development partners, civil society organisations, academic institutions, and friends of Kenya around the world to support it during the global public voting phase.

Although the public vote will not solely determine the overall winner, it provides an important opportunity for governance practitioners, development partners, researchers, and citizens worldwide to learn from Lamu’s innovative participatory governance model while increasing its international visibility.

How to Support Lamu County?

Members of the public can support the county by registering and voting through the official OIDP platform:

Voters should register on the platform and include Lamu County – “From Fragility to Trust: Building Democratic and Peaceful Communities through Participation” among the five finalist practices they select before submitting their vote.

Public voting closes on July 15, 2026.

This milestone reflects the collective efforts of the County Government of Lamu, the County Assembly, local communities, traditional and religious leaders, women and youth groups, civil society organisations, the Council of Governors, the County Assemblies Forum, UNDP, development partners, and all stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to build a county where every resident has a voice in governance.

By demonstrating that inclusive citizen participation can strengthen democracy, foster peace, and accelerate sustainable development even in fragile and marginalized settings, the county continues to position Kenya as a global leader in innovative participatory governance.