By Lamu reporter
Lamu County’s Department of Public Service Management has earned international acclaim after being shortlisted as one of the world’s leading scientific and social impact innovators at the upcoming Falling Walls Science Summit 2025, scheduled for November in Berlin, Germany.
At the heart of this recognition is Shee Kupi, a senior official in the department, who has been praised for his leadership in developing innovative peacebuilding and disaster management frameworks tailored for vulnerable, conflict-affected communities in Kenya’s northern coast.
Lamu County stands out as the only devolved government entity among a list of 30 globally shortlisted institutions, which includes elite universities such as Stanford, Princeton, McGill, and the University of Geneva—an unprecedented milestone for a rural Kenyan county often associated with marginalization rather than innovation.
In an interview following the announcement, Mr. Kupi, who has overseen a series of disaster preparedness and peacebuilding initiatives, underscored the significance of the nomination—not just for Lamu, but for the broader African context.
“This recognition is more than just a personal triumph as it reaffirms that African-led solutions, grounded in local solutions, grounded in local realities, can offer meaningful answers to global problems like violent extremism and disaster fragility,” he stated adding that it is an honour to represent both county and country on such a transformative platform.
The Falling Walls Summit is an annual gathering that celebrates breakthroughs in science and society, drawing thought leaders, researchers, and innovators from across the globe.
Shee Kupi further stated that the inclusion and recognition for the global award not only elevates Lamu to international prominence but also underscores the vital role of local governance and African innovation in tackling global issues such as violent extremism.
“I am glad that I could lead my team and represent my county and at large the African continent on such a significant platform that will celebrate an African solution for an African problem,” he added.
He further stated that Lamu County under Governor Issa Timamy’s administration has made significant strides towards coming up with a Disaster Management and Preparedness Policy that is being replicated in other counties across the country.
“Lamu was the first County to come up with a fully operational County Emergency Operation Centre exceptional disaster risk management interventions which has so far averted at least 5 major disasters since its establishment in 2023, particularly in response to severe drought, cholera outbreak and severe flooding between October and December 2023,” the county official said.
Sentiments echoed by Lamu Governor Issa Timamy who commended Shee Kupi and the Department of Disaster Management and Peace building for their remarkable achievement in coming up with innovative ways through which peace building and disaster management can be achieved in minority and marginalized areas within the county.
He stated that the initiatives have especially been effective within the Boni area, which has been marginalized for years.
