By:Yusuff Baishe
Cabro paving projects are visible everywhere across Lamu, often presented as the top priority for the region. However, the reality on the ground, particularly along the critical sea-front road leading to the hospital stretching from Kenjel/Power to the hospital entrance tells a much grimmer story.
This road is a lifeline for Lamu’s residents, heavily used by pedestrians, animals, and transport vehicles. Despite its importance, it is currently in a state of severe disrepair. If urgent repairs are not made, the road faces total collapse.
Voices from the Community
On June 25, 2025, during a site visit with a local community champion to document the road’s condition, the frustration of the residents was clear. One woman expressed her disbelief at the poor quality of government projects, remarking, “It is their job to bring us projects, yet they bring us substandard work, only to later claim they returned excess budget funds. With all the problems we face in Lamu, they are returning money?”
Mohamed Ali, another resident, pointed out the structural danger: “This is dangerous. Look at this massive crack leading all the way to the sea. Shockingly, this is also a designated stage for loading and offloading passengers and cargo.”
Others highlighted safety concerns. Mothers voiced fear for their children who walk this path daily, noting that the protective wall is too low. “When the tide is high, the water spills over the wall. Where are the authorities when this happens?” they asked.
Seeing the distress of the residents, a group of women reached out to Sumeya Hassan, a community champion from the Muslim Women Adjustment Rights and Protection (MWARP) organization. Recognizing the severity of the situation, she promised to take action, saying “I have a committee that trusts me; we will follow up on this issue and advocate for our community.”
A Growing Crisis
The consequences of this neglect were laid bare on April 28, 2026, when high tides flooded the road, forcing residents to take long, difficult detours.
Katana, a local motorcycle rider, shared his frustration: “That day was a nightmare. My motorcycle was covered in salt water as soon as I passed through. It is frustrating to lose access to a road you rely on daily. The solution is simple the county government just needs to take responsibility and fix the retaining wall and the drainage system.”
