You wouldn’t know it by looking at the pictures, but riding a donkey takes skill, which the young men of Lamu were brimming with as they took part in the Lamu Cultural Festival’s signature donkey race.
The crowd favourite spectacle returned this year with even greater energy, drawing hundreds of residents and visitors to the island’s seafront on Friday for the preliminary heats ahead of the finals scheduled for Saturday at 10 am.
Dozens of young riders, many of whom grew up handling donkeys as part of daily life, raced through the narrow, winding streets to cheers from spectators lining rooftops, balconies and shopfronts.
For many, the event is a point of pride, a test of skill, and an opportunity for local youth to earn recognition and, in this case a cash prize.
This year’s competition attracted a new corporate supporter, Skyward Express, which sponsored the donkey race.
According to the airline’s Marketing Manager, Bryan Obala, who spoke to KBC Digital at the festival, the company chose the event because it “resonates strongly with the Lamu community” but also aligns with the company’s sustainability goals.
“The reason why we sponsored the donkey race is that we have identified it as a sport that is loved within the community. If you look at the streets of Lamu, there are no vehicles. It is a sustainable mode of transport so no carbon emissions as we’re used to,” said Obala. “As an airline company we’re big on sustainability and giving back to the community we are flying into.
The airline said the sponsorship is part of its effort to support the youth of Lamu while strengthening its engagement with coastal communities.
“The guys who are riding the donkeys are youth and very passionate about the sport and we want to support them as for some of them, this is their only source of income or form of trade,” Obala added.
The race’s blend of tradition and spectacle also aligns with the government’s efforts to diversify Kenya’s tourism offerings beyond wildlife and beach attractions, as was pointed out by Rebecca Miano, CS Tourism, who arrived on Friday and praised the county government for their work.
She said such cultural experiences deepen Kenya’s appeal to both domestic and international travellers.
The festival will conclude on Saturday evening with a prize-giving ceremony celebrating the winners of the donkey race and other competitions, capping a three-day programme that has transformed Lamu Old Town into a lively showcase of Swahili culture, heritage and community spirit.
