This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
On June 22, 2020, Kenya's government revealed plans to reopen the Lamu section of the Kenya-Somalia border, which had been closed since June last year.
The border was closed to block routes used by smugglers, terrorists, and human traffickers, but Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia said that plans are now underway to allow fishermen and traders to resume their cross-border trade.
Mr. Macharia acknowledged that the existing ban on cross-border trade had caused significant economic hardship, particularly in the fishing and tourism sectors, which are crucial to Lamu's economy.
He stated that the county security committee, the county government leadership, and other stakeholders would soon convene a meeting to seek a way forward that could see fishermen and other traders allowed to cross to Somalia to conduct their activities under strict rules.
