Lamu County Chief Officer for Public Service Management and Administration, Khadija Fumo Khalifa, has received continental recognition after being named the Most Outstanding Chief Officer during the prestigious Thamani Africa Awards 2026 gala held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi.
The high-profile pan-African event, which marked its second edition on Mother’s Day, celebrated exceptional women leaders driving governance reforms, social transformation, and sustainable development across the continent.
Out of more than 5,000 nominations submitted from across the region and vetted by a 15-member secretariat, Ms. Fumo emerged among the top honourees for her outstanding dedication to community-centred public service and inclusive governance.
The glamorous ceremony brought together some of Africa’s most influential women leaders, including Ida Odinga and Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior.
Standing alongside such continental icons underscored the growing recognition of grassroots governance leaders who are shaping change at the county level.
Under the leadership of Issa Timamy, Ms Fumo has spearheaded reforms in public administration, inclusive development, peacebuilding, and youth empowerment in Lamu County.
Her leadership in the Directorate of Peacebuilding has particularly earned praise for expanding youth-focused economic empowerment programmes and supporting initiatives to counter violent extremism in borderland communities.
Speaking after receiving the award, Ms. Fumo expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the honour to the people of Lamu and her colleagues in public service.
“Alhamdulillah. I am deeply honoured to receive this continental recognition from Thamani Africa,” she said.
“To stand in the company of iconic trailblazers like Mama Ida Odinga and Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng is both humbling and inspiring. This award belongs to my diligent team in Lamu and our visionary Governor, H.E. Issa Timamy, who paves the way for inclusive governance.”
She added that serving the people of Lamu continues to inspire her commitment to administrative excellence and transformative leadership.
Representing the Thamani Africa executive secretariat, Yusuf Noah commended Ms Fumo for her governance record and dedication to uplifting local communities.
“We live in a transformative era where women leaders are reshaping the narrative of African development,” he said.
“Ms Khadija Fumo exemplifies the integrity, grit, and impact-driven governance required to inspire the next generation of public servants.”
Born and raised in Lamu and hailing from the underrepresented Bajun community, Ms. Fumo transitioned from a successful corporate finance career at Deloitte to public service in her home county.
Her office has since gained recognition for championing inclusive legislation, strengthening accountability forums, and protecting marginalised communities through progressive local policy development.
She has also led partnerships with international organisations, including USAID and the International Organisation for Migration, to implement soft-power economic programmes aimed at reducing youth radicalisation while promoting livelihoods and resilience.
In addition, her climate resilience initiatives have supported community-owned environmental conservation programmes linked to peacebuilding and sustainable development across the coastal region.
The event concluded with calls for stronger continental collaboration among women leaders, with Ms Fumo’s recognition standing as a symbol of the growing role of county governments in advancing inclusive governance and sustainable development across Africa.