Guardians of Lamu: A Community’s Journey to Protect Land and Heritage / Walinzi wa Lamu: Safari ya Jamii Kulinda Ardhi na Urithi wao

The people of Lamu, deeply connected to their land and waters, have long fought to protect their homeland from a proposed coal plant that posed serious threats to their environment and cultural heritage. Today, on Human Rights Day, we proudly launch the Guardians of Lamu case study, which captures this extraordinary journey and highlights six complementary strategies—community-led efforts supported by Save Lamu, Accountability Counsel, and numerous other dedicated organizations.

Available in both video and written formats in English and Kiswahili, the Guardians of Lamu case study documents the strategies used to mobilize, resist, and ultimately halt this harmful project. Through this resource, we celebrate the Lamu community’s resilience and the critical importance of advocating for sustainable development that respects both people and the environment.

The launch of Guardians of Lamu on this important day stands as a testament to what is possible when communities come together to protect their heritage and rights. In the future, we look forward to expanding language options for the case study, making it accessible to even more communities facing similar threats around the world.

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Watu wa Lamu, wakiwa na uhusiano wa kina na ardhi na maji yao, wamepambana kwa muda mrefu kulinda ardhi yao dhidi ya mradi uliopendekezwa wa makaa ya mawe ambao ulitishia mazingira yao na urithi wa kitamaduni. Leo, ikiwa ni Siku ya Haki za Binadamu, tunajivunia kuzindua utafiti wa kesi wa Walinzi wa Lamu, ambao unaelezea safari hii ya kipekee na kuonyesha mikakati sita ya kusaidiana—juhudi za jamii zilizoongozwa na Save Lamu, Accountability Counsel, na mashirika mengine mengi ya kujitolea.

Utafiti wa kesi wa Walinzi wa Lamu unapatikana kwa njia ya video na ripoti iliyoandikwa kwa Kiingereza na Kiswahili, ukiorodhesha mikakati iliyotumika kuhamasisha, kupinga, na hatimaye kusitisha mradi huu wenye madhara. Kupitia rasilimali hii, tunasherehekea uvumilivu wa jamii ya Lamu na umuhimu wa kutetea maendeleo endelevu yanayoheshimu watu na mazingira.

Uzinduzi wa Walinzi wa Lamu katika siku hii muhimu ni ushuhuda wa kile kinachowezekana wakati jamii zinapoungana kulinda urithi na haki zao. Katika siku zijazo, tunatazamia kuongeza chaguzi za lugha kwa utafiti huu wa kesi, kuhakikisha kuwa jamii nyingi zaidi zinazokabiliwa na vitisho kama hivi zinaweza kufaidika na rasilimali hii duniani kote.