Siyu Fort in Lamu to be ready in two months
What you need to know:
- Lamu Museums and World Heritage Site Principal Curator Mr Galgallo Rashid said a total of Sh7 million has been spent for restoration of the Siyu Fort alone as part of the Sh10 million set aside for the restoration plan of the major heritage sites and other monuments all over Lamu County this year.
- Speaking in his office on Wednesday, Mr Rashid said the County Government of Lamu released the Sh7 million towards the course of upgrading the Siyu Fort while donors and well-wishers released more than Sh3 million for restoration of other historical monuments that have been in bad shape.
The National Museums of Kenya (NMK) has announced that the restoration of the Siyu Fort in Lamu East Sub-County will be complete in two months.
At the same time, the restoration of the Lamu Seafront is complete.
Lamu Museums and World Heritage Site Principal Curator Mr Galgallo Rashid said a total of Sh7 million has been spent for restoration of the Siyu Fort alone as part of the Sh10 million set aside for the restoration plan of the major heritage sites and other monuments all over Lamu County this year.
Speaking in his office on Wednesday, Mr Rashid said the County Government of Lamu released the Sh7 million towards the course of upgrading the Siyu Fort while donors and well-wishers released more than Sh3 million for restoration of other historical monuments that have been in bad shape.
Mr Rashid said the restoration work on the Siyu Fort has been ongoing for the last two months and that it will be ready soon.
He lauded the county government of Lamu and donors including the Royal African Safaris for their efforts in ensuring proper maintenance of historical monuments which are the main tourist attraction sites in the county.
“I am happy to announce that the restoration of the Siyu Fort will be completed in two months. We have also conducted rehabilitation of the Lamu Old Town Seafront,” said Mr Rashid.
Lamu is home to two of Kenya’s forts namely the Lamu and Siyu Forts which are located on the Lamu Island and Siyu in Lamu East respectively.
Unlike Mombasa’s Fort Jesus and Lamu where the forts were put up by foreigners, Siyu is unique since it is the only town that built a fort of its own.
Basing on Oral traditions, it is indicated that the fort was built by one of Siyu's leaders, Bwana Mataka, whose full name was Mohammed Ishaq bin Mbarak bin Mohamed bin Oman Famau in the 19th century to safeguard Siyu residents from Omani Arabs’ domination.
He also rebuilt much of the town including a fine stone mansion for himself, of which the remains are still to be seen.
The county is also host to a number of monuments spread out all over the two sub-counties — Lamu East and West.
