The plan to relocate Lamu GK Prison has moved into the public participation phase, inviting input from residents and stakeholders on a proposal that could allocate hundreds of acres of public land for the expansion of Lamu Port and the establishment of a new central business district (CBD).

Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu has proposed transferring approximately 289.38 hectares (715 acres) of prison land, currently managed by the Kenya Prisons Service, to the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority (LCDA). Of this, about 591 acres are earmarked to support the development of the Lamu Port City and its CBD.

Strategic Land Use for Regional Development

The prison site is strategically located adjacent to the Port of Lamu, which is Kenya's newest deep-sea port. The relocation aims to free this vital land for urban development to complement the port’s growth into a regional trade, logistics, and industrial hub.

Marubu emphasized the need for a modern urban centre that can host commercial activities, financial services, residential areas, and government institutions aligned with the LAPSSET Corridor Programme. She stated that the planned CBD development will unlock the long-term economic potential of both the port and the wider corridor.

Relocation Details and Legal Framework

  • The existing prison would be moved to Kipini, consistent with the LAPSSET Master Plan's spatial framework.
  • Relocation will allow prison services to continue uninterrupted while freeing prime land for urban use.
  • The proposal is grounded in Kenya’s legal and planning frameworks, including the Constitution (Article 62), the Land Act 2012, the Physical and Land Use Planning Act 2019, and the County Governments Act 2012.

The public participation process will enable government agencies, civil society, investors, and local communities to review and provide feedback on the proposal before any final decision is made.

The outcome will influence the future of one of Lamu’s most valuable parcels of land, balancing correctional service needs with urban planning and the expansion of the Lamu Port under the LAPSSET Corridor Programme.