By : Yusuff Baishe
The Mbwajumwali social hall in Lamu East stands in stark contrast to other well-maintained community facilities in the county. Originally constructed during the 2014/2015 regime of former MP Sharrif Athman Ali, this once-promising project has deteriorated into a neglected ruin.
Beyond its dilapidated state, the neglected building has become a security concern, marred by a tragic incident where an individual was killed inside the abandoned premises. Public funds continue to be allocated on paper, yet the reality on the ground remains dismal. As local resident Mama Esha described it, the hall has become a shelter for animals, with residents asking why neighboring communities enjoy modern facilities while public funds yield nothing here.
Despite the neglect, official county budget documents under the Annual Development Plan for 2025/2026 allocated five million shillings specifically for the rehabilitation of the Mbwajumwali social hall under the Department of Education. On 22 July 2026, a certain young woman tried to post a video showing the state of the Mbwajumwali social hall and how it had lost its dignity. The responses were disappointing. When I asked her if anyone came to fix it, she replied on TikTok saying, ‘They just put up iron sheet”.
Community spaces like this are vital for Lamu County, serving as essential hubs for youth programs, public civic forums, and cultural preservation. Reviving the Mbwajumwali social hall is critical to keeping young people engaged, deterring crime, and ensuring equitable rural development across the archipelago.
