Lamu County has etched its name into history after winning the prestigious United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Peace Prize 2026, becoming the first county in Kenya and the first local government in Africa to receive one of the world’s highest honors for excellence in locally led peacebuilding, resilience, and inclusive governance.
The coveted award was presented during the UCLG World Congress in Tangier, Morocco, where Lamu emerged as the overall winner after a competitive international selection process involving outstanding local government initiatives from across the globe.
The international jury recognized the Lamu Peace Model for its innovative approach to embedding peacebuilding into county governance through legislation, institutional frameworks, and coordinated multi-sectoral action.
Unlike conventional peace initiatives, the model integrates peacebuilding with disaster risk management, climate resilience, refugee inclusion, maritime safety, prevention of violent extremism, and community participation, making peace a permanent function of county government rather than a standalone project.
Receiving the award on behalf of Lamu residents, Governor Issa Timamy described the recognition as a milestone not only for the county but also for Kenya and the African continent.
“This award belongs to the people of Lamu—the women who mediate conflicts, the youth who champion peace, the elders, religious leaders, fishermen, pastoralists, refugee and host communities, community peace committees, our dedicated public servants, security agencies, and all development partners who have worked tirelessly to build a peaceful and resilient county,” Governor Timamy said.
“Today, the world has recognised that local governments can be powerful architects of lasting peace.”
The governor noted that Lamu’s experience demonstrates that sustainable peace is achieved not solely through security interventions but through strong institutions, inclusive governance, resilient public services, and active citizen participation.
Among the initiatives that impressed the international jury was the Kiunga Solar-Powered Desalination Project, which has significantly improved access to clean water while strengthening resilience and peaceful coexistence in one of Kenya’s most remote border communities.
The jury also praised Lamu’s camp-less refugee integration model, an innovative approach that promotes social cohesion and shared development between refugee and host communities instead of isolating displaced populations in traditional refugee camps.
Director of Peacebuilding and Principal Architect of the Lamu Peace Model, Shee Kupi, said the award proves that local governments can develop solutions with global impact.
“This recognition proves that peace can be institutionalized. When counties invest in policy, community ownership, resilient institutions, and inclusive governance, they create systems that continue delivering peace beyond political cycles. Lamu’s experience demonstrates that locally led solutions from Africa can inspire the world,” he said.
Chief Officer for Public Service Management Khadija Fumo, who represented Lamu County during the international Peace Prize panel discussions, dedicated the award to the many organizations and institutions that have partnered with the county over the years.
She thanked the UCLG Peace Prize Secretariat, the international jury, development partners, civil society organizations, security agencies, national government institutions, and international organizations for supporting Lamu’s peacebuilding journey.
Following the victory, Lamu County will now serve as a global reference point for locally led peacebuilding, sharing its governance model with cities and regions across the world while strengthening partnerships aimed at advancing peace, climate adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development.
The historic achievement not only elevates Lamu County onto the global stage but also positions Kenya and Africa as leaders in innovative local governance, demonstrating how counties and municipalities can play a central role in preventing conflict, promoting inclusion, and building peaceful, resilient, and sustainable societies.
