Drought in Lamu fuels deadly human-wildlife conflict

 Lamu Governor Issa Timamy with his deputy Mbarak Mohammed with residents of Mbwajumwali in Lamu East during the commissioning of a water project on February 1, 2026 / CHARLES MGHENYI

The Lamu government is grappling with the twin crisis of prolonged drought and rising human-wildlife conflict, leaving leaders and residents increasingly alarmed.

Several cases of people being injured or killed by wild animals have been reported, with buffaloes and hippopotamuses posing the greatest threat.

The latest incident occurred last week when an elderly man, identified as Kofa Bonaya, was attacked and killed by a hippopotamus while fetching water at Ziwa Witu in Lamu West.

Roaming buffaloes have also been sighted repeatedly in residential areas of Manda Island as animals move closer to settlements in search of water amid worsening drought conditions.

Speaking to residents in Kiunga, near the Kenya–Somalia border, Governor Issa Timamy said his administration would not allow the drought to claim lives.

He announced that the county government has set aside Sh50 million to cushion residents from the effects of the prolonged dry spell.

“We aren’t ready to lose any individual to drought. We’re aware many parts of the county are already witnessing severe drought effects but don’t be worried. We’re alert,” Timamy said.

“We’ve set aside about Sh50 million for water tracking, buying of livestock feeds, drugs and distribution of relief food to the most vulnerable families.”

The governor said the funds are being used to supply water to areas facing acute shortages, as well as to purchase animal feed, veterinary drugs and relief food.

Addressing farmer-herder tensions that often intensify during droughts, the governor urged communities to coexist peacefully.

He said the county is working to establish designated grazing corridors to reduce conflict between pastoralists and farmers.

He added that the county government plans to engage President William Ruto in talks aimed at purchasing land from ranch owners in Lamu to support the resettlement of both pastoralists and farmers.

“Once we create and separate grazing corridors and farmlands, the unnecessary conflicts will be reduced or completely kept at bay. The most important thing is, however, for farmers and herders to respect their respective boundary limits,” he said.

Local farmers and herders interviewed echoed the call to fast-track the creation of grazing corridors before the drought worsens further.

Lamu’s Somali pastoralist community chairperson Muhumed Kalmei described the plan as the most viable solution to long-standing disputes.

“We welcome such ideas. Once we’ve grazing corridors here, it will be easy for us to maneuvre with our animals. How we wish the plan is fast-tracked even before the drought reaches its worst stage,” Kalmei said.

Lucy Thabu, a resident of Maleli, said clear separation of farmlands and grazing areas would promote unity.

“Pastoralists and farmers always view themselves as enemies and all this is because of the lack of stipulated areas of operation. But I believe with grazing corridors in place, respect and peace will be easily observed by either side,” Thabu said.

Meanwhile, Governor Timamy last week launched the conversion and registration of about 10,000 acres of unregistered land at Chalaluma–Dide Waride in Witu, Lamu West, into community land.

The process is expected to be completed by June and will grant the Orma community legal land rights for grazing and other activities.

The initiative is considered historic, as the Orma pastoralist community has lived on the land since independence without formal recognition or documentation.

In Lumshi village, also in Witu division, the governor said the county’s department of lands will work towards settling local squatters.

At neighbouring Moa village, an ongoing land survey is expected to result in the issuance of more than 800 title deeds to residents by the end of June.