Community Members Draft “Lamu Vision 2030”

Using the vision co-created by the various indigenous communities and livelihood groups in Lamu, poet, Mohammed Omar created a poem to encompass the issues of concern and ideals for Lamu, dubbed “Lamu Vision 2030”. The vision was first created at the 2.5day workshop held by Save Lamu.

“Ruwaza yetu ni kujenga jamii iliyoendelea, yenye nguvu kiutamaduni, kiuchumi na kisiasa, na inayojitahidi kumiliki na kutunza rasilmali zetu na kuhifadhi mazingira”.

WA LAMU TUUNGANENI TUTETEE HAKI ZETU (People of Lamu Let’s Unite, so that We can Fight for our Rights)

Written by: Mohammed Omar

1.  Nataka kuisaili, serikali kwa yakini

I wish to interrogate, the government with sincerity

Kwa chuki zilokabili, nawalo Lamu mjini

On the hatred that exists and animosity

Kati ya sisi wawili, mwenye makosa ninani?

Between the two of us, who acted incorrectly?

 

2.  Sisi ni raiya wema, toka zama zakadimu

We have been responsible, for decades long gone

Twatunga zetu heshima, si waoga mufahamu

We preserve our integrity, without fear of anyone

kwa dhati tumesimama, kuwapinga madhulumu

We have stood against you fully honest and open

 

3.  Wachani zenu haraka, mamboe yachunguzeni

Stop your haste, and start to investigate

Tulitakalo hakika, twawaomba pulikani

What we want is for you to listen to our state

Amani Lamu twataka, ibaki kama zamani

We want peace in Lamu as in the past dates

 

4.  Poti ilofikiriwa, kwenye ardhi ya Lamu

We asked about the proposed port in Lamu

Nani aloshauriwa, kwa swala hili muhimu

Who was consulted on this important subject?

Ni nguvu imetumiwa, kutaka kutudhulumu

It was only abuse of power that was enforced

 

5.  Sisi nanyi hatuteti, ladhicha kwetu sishani

We don’t wish to fight, as war is not proper

Wala hatupingi poti, la kujengewa mijini

Nor do we oppose the port to be built on our land

Lakini kwa masharuti, tukaeni tupangeni

But we have our demands, let’s sit and plan

 

6.  Tuwe ni jamii bora, kwa mila na tamaduni

A better community, both heritage and culture

Tuwe kwenye mazingira, yakuridhisha nyoyoni

In an environment that satisfies our nature

Daima tuwe twang’ara, wenzetu watutamani

So forever we can shine, for others to admire in future

 

7.  Uchumi usitawike, visiwani na barani

Our island and mainland economy should not be left behind

Shida kwetu ziondoke, zisirudi asilani

Our problems should be eliminated for all times

Daima tufurahike, furaha ziso kifani

Forever dwelling in happiness, with no match of any kind

 

8.  Tuwe na ulinzi bora, zimakinike nafusi

To have better security, so that we can be at ease

Tulipo tuwe imara, tusiwe na wasi wasi

To have more stability, without any worries

Wezi wa mali kupora, wawe hawana nafasi

Making no room for criminals and thieves

 

9.  Ufikapo uchaguzi, kura zetu tupigeni

When the elections come, our votes we shall cast

Kuchagua viongozi, wenye hadhi na thamani

To select leaders of dignity and self-worth

Ili wawe watetezi, wetu tulo waamini

So that they can be our fighters that we trust