Manda Island: Luo Stone Cutters Were Behind Lamu’s Architectural Marvels

Manda Island holds a secret of its own. It is on this seemingly tranquil island that the stones used to construct the magnificent curved houses with ancient Swahili architecture in Lamu originate. 

In the late 1970s, five Luo men embarked on a journey to Manda Island, brought in by local businessmen who sought to construct houses in Lamu.

Their work was to cut stones from the island, but little did they know that this endeavour would eventually attract people from different parts of the country, particularly the Luo community, who joined in the stone-cutting work and began selling the stones to the local community.

Joseph Siunda, an elder residing on the island, explains that as the number of stone-cutters increased, people adapted and coped with the harsh weather conditions that Manda Island presents. Despite the challenges, they persevered and gradually settled into their new way of life.

”Manda contributed immensely in building Lamu all the stones that were used to construct these beautiful hotels there come from here,” said Siunda.

However, life on Manda Island is not without its difficulties.

Ben Ojuok, a resident, recounts the numerous challenges they face, with snake bites being among the worst. Manda Island is home to a variety of venomous snakes, including cobras, black mambas, puff adders, and others. The risks posed by these snakes make daily life on the island perilous.

”Here you will find some of the most dangerous snakes in the world. It is very risky to walk at night. Many people are forced to stay indoors because a snake bite can easily be a death sentence given existing challenges with regards of means of transport’ to the nearest hospital,’ said Ojuok.

Access to basic services, such as medical care, is another significant concern for the island’s residents. The nearest hospital is located seven kilometres away from Manda Maweni, but it lacks anti-venom due to a lack of electricity to refrigerate the medication.

This not only affects snakebite victims but also hampers the vaccination efforts for children under the age of five.

Mary Mugeni expresses her frustration, highlighting this as negligence by the authorities.

Pamela Osio, a community health volunteer on the island, describes the dire situation at the local facility. Villagers often have to cross to Lamu’s King Fahad Hospital, located over ten kilometres away, to receive proper medical attention and access to essential drugs.

”For expectant mothers, the journey to the hospital becomes even more challenging, involving a motorbike ride to Manda Jetty when the tide is low, followed by a boat trip. This lack of adequate medical care and essential vaccines puts the lives of innocent children at risk,” she said.

James Njoroge, another resident of Manda Island, laments the loss of lives due to snakebites and emphasises the urgent need for improved medical services. He wants the county government to address these issues promptly, ensuring that the hospital is equipped with anti-venom and reliable electricity to safeguard refrigerated drugs and, ultimately, save lives.

As we bid farewell to Manda Island, the villagers hold onto hope that their pleas will be heard, and appropriate measures taken to mitigate the dangers they face. It is their ardent desire that the island’s unique contribution to the architectural wonders of Lamu is not overshadowed by the challenges they endure daily.   BY CITIZEN DIGITAL