Smaller islands include Kiwayu, which lies in the Kiunga Marine National Reserve, and Manda Toto.

The rise of Pate as a major political force, challenging Portuguese control of Mombasa, is thought to have been the catalyst for a distinct "new Swahili mihrab" style.

[6] This essay examines the development of this unique style, exploring its key features, the influences that shaped it, and prominent examples.

[7] A new style of mihrab (prayer niche) was developed, characterised by two key elements: a pronounced use of stucco for decoration and the adoption of the trilobal arch.

[10] Interestingly, Omani mosques built during this period showed a strong resemblance to the Swahili models, with bays parallel to the qibla wall and a projecting mihrab.

A later example, the Swahili Wa Deule mosque at Shela (Lamu), built in 1848 according to an inscription in the mihrab, demonstrates the continued use of the trilobal arch.

The flowering of this new style finds parallels in Yemeni mosques, particularly in Surat, where mihrabs with finely carved trilobal arches suggest a growing economic relationship with India.

The emergence of Pate, changing political landscapes and external influences from India and Oman all contributed to the development of a distinct 'Lamu style', characterised by the widespread adoption of the trilobal arch and the use of stucco ornamentation.