National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has stressed the importance of Lamu Port under the LAPSSET project saying it is not just a local facility but a key gateway for the region. 

He said the port is meant to serve landlocked countries such as South Sudan and Ethiopia, opening up new trade routes that will boost economic growth, create jobs and support infrastructure development in Kenya and across East Africa.

"Lamu Port is not just for Lamu; it is for Kenya and the entire East African region. It positions this county at the heart of international commerce,” Wetang’ula said.

He urged local communities, particularly the youth to acquire relevant skills to tap into emerging opportunities linked to maritime services, logistics and trade.

"When opportunity knocks, it favours the prepared. Equip yourselves with education and technical skills so that you can participate meaningfully in the economic transformation taking place here,” he added.

Speaker Wetang’ula was speaking as Chief Guest during the Prize-Giving Day ceremony at Pate Girls Secondary School on Pate Island in Lamu County on Saturday. 

The event celebrated the school’s outstanding performance in last year’s national examinations and also featured a women empowerment programme organised by Lamu East MP, Hon. Ruweida Mohamed Obbo.

Wetang’ula lauded the school’s students, teachers and management for delivering commendable results despite geographical and infrastructural challenges. 

He described Pate Girls as a beacon of hope along the coast, demonstrating that determination and focus can overcome limitations.

“Excellence is not an accident. It is the product of discipline, sacrifice and focus. The girls we are celebrating today have proven that your background does not determine your destiny,” he said.

He encouraged the learners to remain steadfast in their academic journey cautioning them against distractions that could derail their ambitions.

"Education is your equaliser. It is your shield and your sword. Stay focused, work hard and refuse to allow early marriages, peer pressure or negative influences to steal your future,” he advised.

Commending Hon. Ruweida Mohamed Obbo for spearheading the women empowerment programme, Wetang’ula said empowering women was central to sustainable development. He observed that when women are economically and socially empowered, entire communities benefit.

“When you empower a woman, you empower a family. When you empower a girl through education, you uplift a generation,” he said.

The Speaker encouraged women in Lamu East to take advantage of government initiatives and constituency programmes aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship, financial literacy and self-reliance.

Obbo reiterated her commitment to supporting education and women’s economic initiatives, saying her office would continue investing in bursaries, infrastructure and capacity-building programmes to uplift both learners and women entrepreneurs in the constituency.

Turning to local politics, Wetang’ula advocated for negotiated democracy in Lamu County, urging leaders to embrace inclusivity and dialogue during elections to avoid ethnic exclusion and tension.

"Democracy must unite us, not divide us. If one dominant community takes all elective positions, others may feel left out. That is a recipe for conflict,” he cautioned.

He called on leaders to prioritise consensus-building and equitable representation.

“Negotiated democracy ensures that every community has a stake in leadership. We must avoid a winner-takes-all approach that breeds resentment,” he said.

The Speaker emphasised that political maturity, inclusivity and peaceful coexistence were essential to safeguarding development gains in Lamu County, particularly at a time when transformative projects such as Lamu Port are positioning the region at the centre of regional trade and economic growth.