Lamu, regarded as an important religious centre in East Africa, risks losing its World Heritage Site status due to massive purchase of land and ancient buildings by investors.
These investors have put up posh maisonettes and bungalows unlike the traditional Swahili type of houses which are among the unique features of the town — something that has conservationists worrying.
“If foreigners take over, a different culture will set in and erode the heritage of this historical island,” said National Museums of Kenya director general Idle Farah
He said although NMK and Lamu County Council have been sensitising the islanders on the need for them to stop selling their properties the problem still persists.
But according to a Lamu civic leader Hassan Albeity, they should encourage the islanders to lease their houses for, say, five to 20 years rather than sell them off.
The situation in Lamu is so different from that in Zanzibar.
According to Zanzibar Stone Town Conservation and Development Authority director general Issa Makarani, a property owner is not allowed to construct posh houses on the heritage site.
He noted that seven years ago the government banned the construction of more tourist hotels on the island to prevent the erosion of the world heritage site.
Mr Makarani said it was only the Conservation and Development Authority which has the powers of issuing licenses on reconstruction of buildings, saying the law has been effective in barring foreigners from turning ancient properties into luxurious homes.
“We don’t allow a foreigner to purchase buildings within the world heritage sites as we want to maintain our cultural values,” the Zanzibar official said.
We are saddened by what is happening in Lamu since when the foreigners are not stopped from buying the properties then the historical island’s culture will be gone forever,” he added.
Thousands of people from the region and beyond flock the town for the famous Maulidi festival that are held during the third month of the Muslim calendar.
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