“The Coast Is Not Kenya”:Mwambaoin a “Moment of Danger” in Lamu

A resurgence of coastal nationalism, rooted in Indian Ocean histories rather than national boundaries, emerged as a defining feature during the groundbreaking of the Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport and Economic Development Corridor (LAPSSET) project in 2012. This study reveals how competing narratives of belonging, sovereignty, and autochthony surfaced amid anxieties about the megaport's impact on Lamu Old Town. By analyzing the discourse of two key groups—Save Lamu (a civil society coalition) and the Mombasa Republican Council (a secessionist movement)—the research demonstrates that coastal nationalism in East Africa is fundamentally tied to Indian Ocean imaginaries, challenging Kenyan state sovereignty and highlighting unresolved tensions in regional governance.

Mahajan, N. (2023). “The Coast Is Not Kenya”:Mwambaoin a “Moment of Danger” in Lamu. Monsoon, 1(1), 92–106. https://doi.org/10.1215/2834698x-10346002