Lamu’s charm that keeps tourists coming back

Donkey race in Lamu at a recent event along the Lamu Island Sea front. This is part of the Annual Lamu Cultural festivals. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

“Welcome to Lamu Old Town, where we have two streets, five cars and 2,500 donkeys.” That is Hamsa’s opening line when he takes visitors on a tour of the town on Lamu Island. And it always draws the intended gasps of astonishment, he says.

You do not need convincing about the donkeys – they are to Old Town what boda bodas are to most towns. And because they lack any sort of toilet training, it is difficult to miss the smell of their presence.