Lamu County has made history by becoming the first county in Kenya and the first local government in Africa to receive the prestigious United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Peace Prize 2026, a landmark recognition of its innovative approach to locally led peacebuilding, inclusive governance, and resilient development.
The historic award was officially presented to the people of Lamu during a homecoming reception and press briefing held at the Governor's Hall in Mokowe and presided over by Governor Issa Timamy.
The recognition follows Lamu County's victory at the UCLG World Congress in Tangier, Kingdom of Morocco, where it emerged as the overall winner after a rigorous international evaluation process.
Addressing county leaders, national government representatives, security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, community leaders, and residents, Governor Timamy described the award as a collective achievement earned through years of collaboration and shared commitment to peace.
"This award belongs to the people of Lamu. It belongs to our women, youth, elders, religious leaders, fishermen, pastoralists, refugees and host communities, peace committees, public servants, security agencies, development partners, and every individual who has contributed to building a peaceful and resilient county," the Governor said.
Governor Timamy noted that the international jury recognised the Lamu Peace Model for embedding peacebuilding into county legislation, policy, planning, budgeting, and governance structures.
Rather than treating peace as a stand-alone programme, the county has integrated it into core government functions, linking it with disaster risk management, climate resilience, prevention of violent extremism, maritime safety, refugee inclusion, social cohesion, and citizen participation.
He emphasised that the award does not suggest Lamu is free from security or development challenges.
Instead, it recognises the county's proactive and innovative governance model for addressing complex humanitarian, environmental, and security risks through prevention, partnership, and inclusive development.
The Governor reaffirmed the County Government's commitment to further strengthening peacebuilding initiatives while expanding programmes focused on disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, maritime safety, youth and women's empowerment, refugee inclusion, and sustainable development.
He also pledged to share the Lamu Peace Model with counties across Kenya, Africa, and the wider international community as a practical example of effective local governance.
Governor Timamy expressed appreciation to the County Assembly of Lamu, county staff, national government agencies, security institutions, community leaders, peace committees, development partners, civil society organisations, and residents for their unwavering support in building a peaceful and resilient county.
He also acknowledged the contributions of numerous institutions, including the Council of Governors' Maarifa Centre, Kenya Red Cross Society, World Vision Kenya, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Maritime Authority, National Drought Management Authority, Kenya Defence Forces, Operation Amani Boni, the United States Military at Manda Bay, Kenya Wildlife Service, Northern Rangelands Trust, the National Government Administration, the County Commissioner's Office, the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the County Engagement Forum, and many local and international development partners.
International partners, including United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the UCLG Peace Prize Secretariat, VNG International, Open Society Foundations, GIZ Connective Cities, UNDP, IOM, IGAD, the wider United Nations family, and the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), were also recognised for supporting Lamu's journey towards global recognition.
During the ceremony, Mr. Shee Kupi Shee, Director of Peacebuilding and principal architect of the Lamu Peace Model, presented the county's journey to winning the international award.
His presentation detailed the competitive selection process, from submitting Lamu's application and undergoing an extensive international evaluation to being shortlisted among five global finalists from Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, and South Sudan before ultimately securing the top honour in Tangier.
He highlighted the distinguishing features of the Lamu Peace Model, including its institutionalisation through legislation and policy, strong multi-agency coordination, community ownership, and the integration of peacebuilding with disaster risk management, climate resilience, refugee inclusion, and sustainable development.
Mr. Shee encouraged county departments and public institutions to embrace innovation, document successful practices, and continue developing transformative solutions capable of positioning Lamu as a global centre of excellence in public service delivery.
The County Commissioner congratulated the County Government and residents on the historic achievement, describing the award as a milestone not only for Lamu but also for Kenya.
He reaffirmed the National Government's commitment to strengthening the collaborative peace and security architecture that underpins the Lamu Peace Model and pledged continued cooperation with county authorities, security agencies, community leaders, and development partners.
Representing World Vision Kenya, Mr. Charles Muthoka praised the county's achievement, describing the UCLG Peace Prize as recognition of Lamu's sustained investment in peaceful, resilient, and inclusive communities.
He reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to expanding collaboration with the County Government in child protection, education, resilience, peacebuilding, and community development.
Concluding the ceremony, Governor Timamy urged residents to view the award not as the culmination of their efforts but as the beginning of an even greater responsibility.
"Today, the world has honoured Lamu. Tomorrow, let us honour this award by renewing our commitment to build a county where peace, resilience, dignity, and opportunity are enjoyed by every child, every family, and every generation."
The UCLG Peace Prize is among the world's highest honours for local governments promoting peace, social cohesion, and inclusive governance.
Lamu County's victory places both Kenya and Africa at the forefront of innovative local governance and demonstrates how locally developed solutions can inspire peacebuilding efforts far beyond national borders.