Lamu turns to cultural donkey race to tackle youth violence

For several months, Lamu has witnessed cases of insecurity, including violent attacks, deaths and civil unrest involving youths armed with machetes, commonly known as panga boys. Such incidents have been recorded in Lamu Island Town and Lamu East.

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The situation has left more than 10 youths dead and tens of others injured. But during the event on Sunday, instead of flashing weapons and fear of injury, local youths gathered peacefully at the seafront in high spirits to cheer on the donkey races, a signature of Lamu.

The unique cultural and peace-building event, organised by the Municipality of Lamu, brought together hundreds of young people from across Lamu Island and Lamu East.

Lamu Deputy Governor Mbarak Salim and Municipality Manager Abduswamadu Abdallah presided over the event, which saw 10 finalists take part in the race and receive prizes ranging from cash, trophies and donkey feed.

Before the races commenced, the Municipality of Lamu, in partnership with Human Mankind, Open Eyes Kenya, donkey owners and operators’ committees, and members of the public, conducted a major town clean-up exercise.

The activity focused on cleaning donkey droppings, promoting environmental sanitation and sensitising the public on the innovative use of donkey waste in the production of sustainable energy briquettes.

Participants were also taken through sensitisation forums where they were advised to avoid drug abuse and acts of violence.

Dr Salim appealed to the youth to observe peace, unity and love for one another, saying that was the only way to pave the path for Lamu’s development.

The Deputy Governor said Lamu depends heavily on tourism, noting that tourists often avoid visiting destinations perceived as insecure.

“Once tourists visit our archipelago, we’re able to generate income. Jobs for our youth are also created within the tourism industry. Despite the county continuing to receive tourists, many end up heading to Shella, Ras Kitau and other areas far from Lamu Old Town,” said Dr Salim.

“Drugs and the failure to maintain cleanliness within our Old Town are part of the contributing factors for tourists to shy away from visiting our destination. That’s why we’ve come up with the initiative of donkey races for peace and clean up exercises to ensure we maintain a cleaner environment,” he added.

Mr Abdallah said apart from preaching peace, the initiative is also meant to promote sports, cultural activities, animal welfare and social integration within Mkomani Ward, Shela Manda Ward, Hindi Ward and parts of Basuba Ward.

The Municipality Manager reiterated that they chose to break the silence by creating a platform that uses culture, sports and heritage as tools for peace and reconciliation.

“Peace cannot be achieved through silence. We must create spaces that unite communities, celebrate our heritage and give young people hope, identity and purpose. The donkey is part of Lamu’s history and future,” said Mr Abdallah.

The event attracted huge crowds enthusiastically cheering on donkeys with captivating names including Jagutai, Max, Jux, Kivuruge, Jambo, Bullet, Ramish, Joginda and Shahazadi among others.

The winner of the 2026 Lamu Donkey Race final was Jamil Omar, 13, with his donkey nicknamed Jagutai. He beat nine other competitors and received Sh50,000, a branded jersey, a trophy and three bags of donkey feed.

Ibrahim Abdi, 14, with his donkey nicknamed Ramish, emerged second and bagged Sh30,000 plus two bags of donkey feed, while the third-place winner was Haddad Ali, 13, with his donkey named Bullet. He received Sh20,000 and one bag of donkey feed.

Hussein Miji, a peace ambassador in Lamu, could not hide his joy at seeing young men who might previously have engaged in clashes turn over a new leaf and vow to act as ambassadors of peace.

“I’ve been encouraged today seeing youths’ energy being redirected from conflict toward the skill and discipline required to train and jockey fast-running donkeys along our over 1-kilometre seafront stretch,” said Mr Miji.

Abdulrahman Fahmi, the chairperson of the Lamu Donkey Operators Association, termed the initiative a new dawn in the fight against panga boys and drugs.

“It served as a crucial unifying factor, having seen rival groups that once faced off with weapons but during the donkey race finals standing shoulder-to-shoulder as spectators. There were those whom we saw lining rooftops, balconies, and the seafront, not to look for enemies, but to watch talented jockeys,” said Mr Fahmi.

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Mohamed Chemusa, a donkey rights champion in Lamu, called for such events to be organised regularly.

Mr Chemusa stressed the need for frequent psychosocial support and training for young donkey owners to help them find dignity in their work and hobbies, such as racing, rather than falling into cycles of drug abuse or illegal activities.

“By doing so, our Lamu community will fully reclaim its neighbourhoods from fear by ensuring that young energy is used to preserve heritage and compete for pride, not to perpetrate violence,” said Mr Chemusa.

For centuries, donkeys have remained the backbone of transport and trade in the ancient town, carrying goods and supporting livelihoods across the Lamu islands.

Their cultural importance is deeply rooted in local identity, reflected in the famous Swahili proverb: “A man without a donkey is a donkey.”

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