The General Manager of Lamu Port, Captain Abdulaziz Mzee, has called on the media to play a greater role in promoting the facility as it positions itself as a key regional trade hub.

Speaking during a familiarization tour of the port by local journalists, Mzee said increased visibility would help attract more investors, shipping lines and business opportunities to the port.

“We want you as the media to help us in marketing Lamu Port. Many people still don’t fully understand its potential and the opportunities it presents,” said Mzee.

He noted that the port is currently operating largely as a transshipment hub but is now targeting expansion into full import and export services to boost its competitiveness in the region.

"Lamu Port currently acts like a transshipment port, but we also want it to handle imports and exports. When this port grows, our local communities and businesses will grow as well,” he added.

Mzee highlighted the port’s strong performance this year, revealing that it has handled over 70 vessels since January, including container ships  a sign of growing confidence among global shipping operators.

The port is very safe, and this has been demonstrated by the number of vessels we have handled so far this year,” he said.

He further attributed part of the increased traffic to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have forced some vessels to divert from their original destinations to alternative ports such as Lamu.

“The war in the Middle East has also brought business to Lamu Port, with some vessels that were destined for other ports being diverted here,” he explained.

At the same time, Mzee emphasized the port’s growing impact on local livelihoods, noting that it has created employment opportunities for youth in the region.

So far, over 300 youths have been employed on permanent and pensionable terms directly through the Kenya Ports Authority,” he said.

He reiterated that continued growth of the port would translate into more jobs, improved business opportunities and economic transformation for communities in Lamu and the wider coastal region.

The familiarization tour brought together journalists from across the Coast, offering them a first-hand look at the port’s operations, infrastructure and future expansion plans as Kenya seeks to position Lamu as a strategic gateway for regional and international trade.