Figure 2.2 LM’s planning context

2.2 Planning Context

The Planning Context sets the basis for the development of the UEP. The Diagnostic Report in Appendix A covers key international and national trends likely to influence the sustainable growth trajectory of LM; national strategies and policies, and; LM’s own priorities and ambitions.

The Lamu County Integrated Development Plan 2018-2022 (CIDP) is grounded upon the Vision 2030, the MTP III, the NSP, Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor and international targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals. The CIDP is one of the most important documents at County level, which aims to coordinate development and allocate budgets. The strategic goals of the CIDP are: i) eliminating poverty and increasing food/water security, ii) ensuring access to high-quality health and education facilities, iii) increasing industrial and economic activity, iv) delivering resilient infrastructure and managed urban growth, and v) tackling climate change by using technology and raising public awareness.

The Lamu County Spatial Plan 2016-2026 (CSP) is the long-term land use and spatial planning framework that aims to guide the allocation and distribution of resources including policy statements and proposals to promote growth in a coordinated and sustainable manner. The plan identifies the town of Lamu as the main urban centre and its respective development plans should be aligned with the provisions in the CSP (2017). The plan has earmarked the vision for Lamu County to become: “A planned, well governed, secure and healthy County that is economically vibrant and affords a high quality of life for its citizens through sustainable use of its natural resources, promotion of local culture and livelihoods and conservation of its unique heritage and biodiversity”. At the local level there is a Draft Lamu Island Integrated Urban Development Plan 2020-2035 (LIIUDP). The Draft LIIUDP assesses the constraints and development potentials on the island and provides a spatial framework for its future development and growth in a sustainable manner. In addition, the plan provides a basis for public and private investment, the coordination of programmes and projects as well as land development management.

Figure 2.2 Planning Context The Draft Lamu Municipality Integrated Development Plan 2020-2025 (IDeP) is expected to describe and integrate urban area policies, development programmes and financial abilities to manage the investment needs of associated spatial development within the Municipality. Furthermore, it sets out the priorities of the Municipality during the current government period. At the time of writing the UEP, the Draft IDeP has undergone stakeholder engagement within the Municipality in order to understand the local needs and constraints.

International trends

Urbanisation trends Depletion of resources Climate change Impacts of the 4th Industrial Revolution Green post-Covid Recovery

Source: Atkins National Polices and Strategies

Kenya Constitution 2010 (Chapters 5 & 12) County Governments Act No. 17 of 2012 (revised 2017) Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011 (revised 2019) The Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019) Kenya Vision 2030 National Spatial Plan (NSP) Kenya Green Growth Strategy Medium Term Plan (MTP III) and the Big Four Agenda Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Programme (LAPSSET) Local Plans

County Integrated Development Plan 2018 - 2022 (CIDP) Draft County Spatial Plan 2016 - 2026 (CSP) Draft Lamu Island Integrated Urban Development Plan 2020 - 2035 (LIIUDP) Draft Lamu Municipality Integrated Development Plan 2020 - 2025 (IDeP) Lamu Municipality Priorities change

Support the protection of agricultural land uses and development of agro-processing industry in the Municipality Capitalising on the Blue Economy to develop a thriving fishing and tourism sector Conserving and leveraging on the unique natural assets, biodiversity and conservation areas to promote tourism and environmental sustainability Delivering high quality health, education and community facilities whilst improving infrastructure provisions for all Benefit from its strategic location and capitalise on the possible opportunities from LAPSSET

2.3 State of Lamu

2.3.1 Regional Context

Lamu County has a land surface area of 6,607 km2 composed of 5,517 km2 of arable land 650 km2 of non-arable land,130 km2 of coastline and 308 km2 under water mass2. The County lies between zero and 50 metres above sea level average, and is generally quite flat, characterized by low plains with the exception of coastal sand dunes and sand hills. Because of the low-lying nature of the land, large parts of the County are susceptible to flooding, especially during high tides and the rainy seasons3 .

Land uses within the County include agricultural (including pasture for livestock), residential, commercial, industrial and conservation. Agricultural land makes up the majority of the land use in LC of around 5,557 km2, land to the north and west is used for pasture and livestock rearing, the agricultural sector accounts for 90% of rural household income.

Settlements comprise of residential, commercial and industrial uses, as well as agricultural uses found on the urban edges, they are mainly scattered along the coast of the County. Depending on grazing and climate patterns, temporary settlements can form in the north of the County.

The County is also recognised by its rich cultural and heritage assets, with Lamu Old Town being recognised and awarded by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (WHS). The area was once the most important trade centre in East Africa and has exercised important influence in cultural, trade and religion in the region.

The County can be described as a biodiversity hotspot and is home to a variety of unique and indigenous terrestrial and marine ecosystems, for example, mangrove forests, coral reefs and seagrass beds spread across the archipelago. These ecosystems are regarded as some of Kenya’s most valuable marine assets and are often gazetted areas within conservation areas and parks for example Witu forest, Lungi Forest, Dodori National Reserve and Kiunga Marine National Reserve.

Historically the area has faced instability from conflict, most recently in the form of terrorism caused by Al-Shabab entering the Country via the border with Somalia. Disruption from terrorism has primarily affected the villages in the northeast region and parts of Lamu County in the area bordering Garissa County. The effect of terrorism on land use is evident and pushes human activities, particularly agriculture and human settlement to the south of the Garsen-Mokowe Highway4 . This increased insecurity and pressure on land availability often causes conflict amongst landowners and pastoralists.

2.3.2 Municipal Context

LM is made up of a vast mainland covering an area of approximately 1,760 km2 and Lamu Island which covers an area of approximately 100 km2. The mainland has two major urban centres, those being Mokowe found to the South and Hindi found in the centre of the Municipality. Mokowe is currently a market centre, however, it is planned to become the future administrative centre of the Municipality in order to relieve development pressure off Lamu Island. The mainland is mainly covered by agricultural land uses including pasture for livestock.

The development of LAPSSET has meant that the mainland of the Municipality has become home to the Lamu port area, with Hindi acting as its host city. Currently the port has three berths built out into the Indian Ocean, however, once complete it is anticipated that the port will have a total of 32 berths. Furthermore, the programme proposes the creation of an SEZ in the North of the Municipality to aid in economic and industrial activities.

2 Lamu County, CSP (2017) 3 Lamu County, CSP (2017) 4 Lamu County, CSP (2017)