Author: Coast Times Digital

By Nuru Salim Police in Likoni, Mombasa, have apprehended a notorious leader of the “Panga Boys,” a criminal gang terrorizing residents The suspect, Moses Otieno alias “Daddy,” was arrested on Saturday while hiding in the Mathare area of Timbwani Ward. The 27-year-old, who has been on the police wanted list, was captured by undercover officers from Likoni Police Station during a routine foot patrol. Otieno is believed to be the mastermind behind a spate of violent robberies in Likoni and neighboring areas. Police have described Otieno as a mastermind behind multiple robberies in Likoni. His arrest followed a tip-off from…

By Alloys Musyoka Over 500 patients in Kwale County have received free medical treatment, through a corporate social responsibility program organized by the Kenya Navy, in collaboration with the Kwale County Government at Kinango Sub County Hospital in Kinango Constituency. During the program, the residents had the opportunity to receive various health services including, free medical screening for cervical cancer, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Vitals, Consultancy Services in mental health, eye services, teeth related issues among others, diagnosis support services and blood donation drive. This comes at a time when the Kenya Navy is preparing for the ‘Kenya Navy…

By Reporter Civil society leaders and community representatives have called on the National Land Commission (NLC) to urgently address disputed land issues along the LAPSSET Corridor to ensure fair compensation and issuance of title deeds for affected squatters and landowners. Speaking in Mokowe village, Salim Said, the Lamu Coordinator for Natural Justice, highlighted the growing crisis of landlessness affecting at least 3,000 squatters in areas such as Roka, Kililana, Mashunduani, and Bodhei. The LAPSSET (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport) Corridor is a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project aimed at spurring economic development in Kenya and the region. However, its continued construction despite land…

By Reporter Former County Executive Committee (CEC) member for tourism and seasoned politician Josephat Musembi has criticized remarks made by activist Khelef Khalifa, who recently asserted that only indigenous residents should vie for elective posts in Lamu County. Speaking during a function today in Lamu over the activists remarks that has sparked heated debate, Musembi termed Khalifa’s comments as divisive, offensive, and out of touch with Kenya’s current sociopolitical realities. “For over five decades, Kenyans have been moving, settling, and contributing to the growth of different regions across the country thus suggesting that only a specific group should run for…

By Nuru Salim Base Titanium has intensified its environmental restoration efforts as the company approaches the end to its mining operations in Kwale County by December 2024. Since commencing mining in 2013, the company has focused on extracting rutile, ilmenite, and zircon, precious minerals that have positioned the firm as a key player, contributing approximately 65% of Kenya’s mining industry by value. The firm’s land rehabilitation initiatives, now in their advanced stages, aim to restore mined-out areas to sustainable ecological and social conditions. The efforts include reforestation, enhancing biodiversity, and creating agricultural opportunities for host communities. According to Simon Wall,…

By Reporter Fishermen at Uyombo Beach Management Unit in Matsangoni area of Kilifi North Sub County, Kilifi County have benefitted with the construction and equipping of a cold storage facility from the European Union as part of the Italian component in the Go Blue Program. While handing over the project, the EU head of governance in Nairobi Alexandre Baron who was accompanied by the Italian ambassador to Kenya Roberto Natali said that the fully fledged facility will go a long way in improving the livelihood of fishermen in the area. The Go Blue program will benefit all the coastal counties…

By Reporter The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebeca Miano, has spearheaded a critical wildlife conservation initiative in Tsavo West National Park, overseeing an ear notching and transmitter fitting exercise for rhinos in the Ngulia Conservancy. The event, which brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, underscores Kenya’s continued commitment to prioritizing wildlife conservation as part of its national agenda. The CS emphasized that the ear notching and transmitter fitting are crucial elements of the national strategy to safeguard the rhino population. According to Miano, the exercise is integral to Kenya’s Black Rhino Action Plan (2022-2026), which seeks…

BY SHABAN OMAR Local authorities in Kwale County have raised alarm over the surging number of child abuse in Msambweni sub-county. The defilement cases are soaring despite heightened awareness campaigns and prosecution efforts. According to County Police Commander Ali Nuno, police data shows at least 123 defilement cases have been reported this year, with Msambweni sub-county accounting for 60 of them. “Msambweni has now become the hotspot for defilement cases, consistently leading in reported incidents since 2022,” he said. He said that child abuse in the area encompasses various forms, including sex tourism, early marriages, incest, and rape. Nuno said…

By Anthony Zoka Boyani residents in Rabai Kilifi County have threatened to halt the operation of a Chinese firm that has initiated mining of marram for the ongoing construction of the Mombasa – Nairobi highway. According to the residents the exercise is not only a health hazard to them but also heavy trucks are making their road connecting Kokotoni and Jimba unusable. Speaking at a public participation baraza at Boyani Primary School, Elizabeth Malombo, noted that they were yet to benefit with the mining activities in the area. “We residents of Kaliang’ombe sub location don’t see the benefit of these quarries…

Nuru Salim More than 200 students from needy families in Kwale County have been awarded scholarships as part of an initiative to promote education and alleviate financial burdens on parents. The distribution, which took place at Nyumba Sita County Hall in Ramisi Ward, Msambweni, also marked the start of the second batch of scholarships expected to be disbursed before Christmas Eve. The bursaries are part of a larger effort by the Kwale County government led by Governor Fatuma Achani with the aim to increase access to education. Over the years, significant funds have been allocated to scholarships and bursaries, with…