Lamu County, Kenya, has won the UCLG Peace Prize 2026! The Jury has awarded the prize for the Lamu Peace Model, which brings together disaster risk management, social cohesion, climate adaptation, the prevention of violent extremism, maritime safety and refugee inclusion.
Lamu County received the award for its ‘Breaking the Wall of Peace Fragility in Disaster Zones’ initiative, selected from five international finalists. The jury praised the county’s integrated approach to peacebuilding, which combines climate resilience, conflict prevention and inclusive local governance. The following three elements particularly distinguish Lamu’s approach:
- Firstly, the county introduced integrated early warning systems that monitor both climate-related and social risks, allowing local authorities to anticipate tensions before they escalate.
- Secondly, Lamu established structured dialogue and mediation platforms, bringing together communities, authorities and local leaders to resolve grievances through dialogue rather than conflict.
- Thirdly, the county invests heavily in livelihood programmes for young people, creating educational and economic opportunities that encourage positive life choices and reduce the risk of violent extremism or criminal recruitment.
“Today, the world has recognized the power of local leadership in building lasting peace”, expressed the Governor of Lamu County, Mr Issa Timamy during his acceptance speech on behalf of the county. Besides the physical award, Lamu County receives a sum of €20.000 to support its programme.
The video below provides an impression of the work done by Lamu Country:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=SyP2fB5CU0U%3Fsi%3DY96apPleoIOKNYdE
