The Lamu-Tana Land-and Seascape

Anchored by UNESCO-listed Lamu Old Town and a mangrove–seagrass–coral mosaic, and powered by the Tana River that delivers over half of Kenya’s river flow to the Western Indian Ocean while sustaining millions, this land- and seascape fuels fisheries, tourism, and culture—yet accelerating mangrove loss, port expansion, overfishing, pollution, dams, and climate impacts demand stronger upstream–downstream water governance to safeguard coasts, biodiversity, and livelihoods for generations.

The Lamu–Tana land- and seascape, in Kenya’s northern coastal zone, is a region of profound ecological, cultural, and socio-economic importance. At its heart lies the Tana River, Kenya’s longest river, which originates in the country’s central highlands and water towers. It contributes over 50% of Kenya’s river discharge into the Western Indian Ocean and supports nearly one-fifth of the country’s population with water, energy, and food.

To the east, the coastline and islands of Lamu form one of Kenya’s richest cultural and ecological treasures. Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, with centuries of cultural exchange reflected in its architecture and traditions. Surrounding the islands lies a mosaic of wetlands: extensive mangrove forests, productive mudflats and seagrass meadows, and coral reefs that teem with marine life. These ecosystems support thriving local economies based on fishing and tourism.

Yet, this natural wealth is increasingly under threat. Mangroves are cut down for timber and charcoal or cleared for rice cultivation. Large-scale infrastructure projects, including port expansion and dredging activities, put pressure on fragile coastal habitats. Combined with overfishing and pollution, these changes undermine the ecological balance that has sustained the Lamu archipelago for centuries.

The Tana River plays a vital role in sustaining this coastal zone. Carrying freshwater, sediments, and nutrients downstream, it replenishes estuaries and wetlands, ensuring the productivity of mangroves, seagrass beds, and fisheries in Lamu. Along its banks stretch unique riverine forests, home to globally endangered primates such as the Tana River Red Colobus and the Tana River Mangabey, found nowhere else in the world.

The river is also the lifeblood of human communities. It supplies water for drinking and irrigation, and its upstream dams provide hydroelectricity that powers the nation. Fishing, farming, and small-scale trade along the river sustain countless households. For many Indigenous and local communities, the Tana is not only a source of survival but also a cultural anchor, shaping identities and traditions that remain deeply tied to the river’s seasonal rhythms.

The wetland ecosystems of the Lamu–Tana landscape deliver services of national and global significance: they buffer the coastline from storms, store vast amounts of carbon, support biodiversity of global importance, and underpin local livelihoods. However, these services are increasingly at risk due to dam construction, deforestation, land conversion, and the escalating impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and more frequent droughts.

Recognizing these challenges, Tana River and Lamu counties are calling for reforms in Kenya’s Water Act to better address upstream–downstream dynamics. By improving water governance, maintaining ecosystem health, and ensuring fair water allocation, the resilience of both communities and nature in this remarkable land- and seascape can be strengthened.

The future of the Lamu–Tana depends on balancing development with conservation; safeguarding its rivers, coasts, and cultures for generations to come.