Author: Coast Times Digital

By Nuru Salim In December 2020, Kenya introduced the Likoni Floating Bridge, an ambitious project that began on the 18th of July, aiming to transform daily commutes across the Likoni Channel in Mombasa. The 1.2-kilometer bridge, which held the title of Africa’s longest floating bridge was designed to offer safe passage for thousands of pedestrians daily. Hailed as an engineering marvel, the bridge provided an alternative to the crowded Likoni ferry services, promising enhanced connectivity between Mombasa Island and the mainland. But four years later, Kenyans still ask a distressing question: What happened to the Likoni Footbridge? Built with an…

By Shaban Omar The Kwale County government has denied allegations of misusing public funds, which critics claim have led to stalled projects. Recently there has been a public uproar following a video content created by one of the social media influencers, who accused the county of squandering millions on projects that have remained incomplete for years. The projects cited include the Sh120 million Kombani Fresh Produce Wholesale Market, the Sh149 million Official Governor’s Residence, and the Sh600 million Shimba Hills Fruit Processing Plant. Kwale County’s Director of Communication, Nicky Gitonga, dismissed the allegations in a statement, labeling them unfounded propaganda.…

By Anthony Zoka The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has raised concerns over the increased gap on health stories reporting among journalists. Speaking in Mombasa Coast region MCK coordinator Maureen Mudi, attributed this gap to the poor relation between journalists and County governments. According to Mudi there is a need to have a structured mechanism that will guarantee journalists access to information as they partner with other stakeholders to narrow the gap. “We have realized that most journalists are yet to specialize in health reporting. Another reason being most of the media houses cannot facilitate their journalists to pursue investigative stories on…

By Agnetta Okwemba Home owners in the coast region who have registered for the affordable housing program through Boma Yangu will start receiving keys to their housing units on 10th December 2024. The project that is being undertaken across the country was initiated to provide affordable houses to Kenyans of low income. Speaking to journalists in Kwale County, Coast and Northern Eastern director of the State Department of Housing and urban development John Karanja announced the completion of phase one by end of the year with Kwale County expected to have about 10,000 units upon full completion. “These projects are done…

By Reporter There was tension when a fire incident at one of the county offices premises in Kilifi town brought the town to a standstill as residents rushed to the scene to witness its magnitude. Witnesses recounted of a huge black smoke that filled the air from the department of Water and Environment and they initially suspected that the offices had caught fire. Said Mghala said that he saw the smoke and rushed to the scene and found a consignment of used car tyres and plastics on fire and suspected that the officers might have been burning harmful materials in…

By Nuru Salim Twendegreen, a Mombasa-based environmental initiative led by businessman Faraj Ramadhan is making waves by transforming plastic waste collected from Likoni informal settlements and beaches into sustainable furniture. Founded during the Mombasa Plastic Prize Challenge, Twendegreen seeks to address Mombasa’s escalating plastic pollution problem while supporting local communities through job creation and sustainable development. Twendegreen’s process begins by collecting plastic waste, which is then sorted, cleaned, and shredded into small pieces. The plastic fragments are heated in a high-pressure press molding machine to create durable sheets. The sheets are subsequently cut and assembled into Eco-desks and other types…

By Nuru Salim In a significant boost to infrastructure and security, Mombasa County Governor Abdulswammad Sharrif Nassir has launched two major road 7.5 kilometers projects in Timbwani Ward. It includes the construction of a 3.5-kilometer tarmac road and a separate 4-kilometer road in Timbwani Constituency aimed at easing transportation and enhancing connectivity for residents. Community safety being a primary concern, Governor Nassir highlighted the county’s commitment to improving security. He also announced plans to install CCTV cameras throughout Likoni ward to curb rising insecurity caused by machete-wielding gangs. Additionally, security lights will be set up in Timbwani and Kindunguni, expanding…

By Reporter Lack of national identity cards among many residents of Kilifi County is hampering membership registration under the Social Health Authority in the devolved unit, officials have said. Officials at the Malindi Sub County Hospitals say many patients have had difficulties in accessing the services provided under the Universal Health Care (UHC) since they are unable to register with the new authority that replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). This was one of the reasons why only a paltry nine percent of the county’s 1,453,787 residents (as per the 2019 census) have been registered with SHA, the officials…

By Nuru Salim The Zamara Foundation, in partnership with Achetu Community (CBO), launched a mural at Ng’ombeni Primary school in Kwale aimed at advancing menstrual justice in the society. Bringing together local leaders, students, and community members, the event focused on breaking down menstrual stigma and promoting the well-being of young girls in the community. The project aims at destigmatizing menstruation among school-going adolescent girls and the broader school community. The mural will serve as a powerful symbol of collective commitment to promoting positive narratives about menstruation and fostering an environment that normalizes the important conversations. “We have made sanitary…

By Reporter Residents of four villages in Tana Delta Sub County are living in fear of starvation and disease outbreak after their livelihoods were destroyed by intrusion of sea water inland. The villages most affected are in areas such as Ozi, Chara, Konemase, Marafa, Shirikisho, Odhole and Bilisa where river Tana changed its course hence meeting with a sea water channel at Kalota brook in the area. Villagers of Mwanja village who spoke to journalists said that the situation had turned the whole area water to salinity destroying vegetation and depriving residents of fresh water for domestic use as well…