The highly anticipated CASA Race competition in Lamu County roared to life at the historic Mkunguni waterfront on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
The event drew large crowds for a day that blended sport, culture and coastal heritage.
The occasion, flagged off by Aisha Miraj, the Lamu County Executive Committee Member for Trade and Tourism, marked a vibrant showcase of athletic skill and traditional festivities.
Racers sliced through the bright waters of the Lamu Channel.
They pushed hard, each one eyeing the top rewards: Sh200,000, a new boat engine, and a trophy. The chase was fast, tense and full of energy.
The competition, a long-time highlight of the county’s cultural calendar, began with great excitement. Crowds packed the waterfront, cheering loudly as the high-stakes contest got underway.
The race forms part of a wider programme of traditional games, mashindano ya michezo ya jadi, taking place at Mkunguni.
Men playing board games during the start of the CASA Race in Lamu County. PHOTO/Handout
Participants competed in bao la kete, dama, dumna, karrom and drafu — traditional games rooted in the coastal community’s heritage.
The contests attracted players and spectators from across the region, turning the historic square into a vibrant centre of cultural exchange.
Traditional dance troupes lit up the venue. Their drums thumped. Their songs carried across the waterfront.
The rhythm brought usita wa pwani to life — the familiar, festive spirit of the coast.
Vendors, local artisans and food stalls lined the area, turning the event into both a sporting spectacle and a vibrant social gathering.
Miraj praised the event for strengthening community bonds and promoting Lamu as a cultural tourism destination.
“This competition celebrates our traditional sporting excellence and boosts tourism and preserves the rich heritage that defines our coastline,” she said.
The CASA Race continues over the weekend, with thousands expected to attend the closing ceremony.
