No car, no Traffic in Lamu

No car, no traffic culture is because of the way the town was built, with the streets so narrow and close. It is impossible to alter the town plan to make way for cars since the architecture gave Lamu its world heritage status.

The island has only 2 registered cars; the District commissioner’s personal saloon and the land rover, both of which are government owned. This has been the case for many years until today. However there now can be seen several motor cycles and the latest addition of a Tuk-tuk (a 3 wheeled truck) which is used as an ambulance.

Apart from car pollution over the past few years the effect of modern living has evidently taken its toll. Poor water sanitation in Lamu town itself and an insufficient garbage collection system has been eating away at the beauty of this area.

Unfortunately Lamu had a slave-based economy until the turn of the 20th century. When slavery was abolished in 1907 the economy of the island suffered greatly. In the early 1970s, Lamu became famous for its reputation as an exotic location, attracting backpackers, hippies and other travelers looking for an escape from the outside world.

The population of Lamu is predominantly Muslim although there has now been an influx of people from throughout the Kenyan coast diversifying the ethnic makeup of the area. However, men can still be seen to wear the full length robes known as khanzus with kofia caps while women cover themselves in the black wraparound cloth common in other Islamic cultures. It is therefore requested that the tourists coming to Lamu should respect this culture and tradition by dressing modestly around town and refraining from displays of public affection.

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