Author: Coast Times Digital

By Coast Times correspondent Environmentalists in the Coast region have raised concerns over calls by locals for the government to lift the mangrove ban that was imposed in 2018 to curb environmental destruction. Different organizations and companies investing in the planting and protecting of mangrove trees in Coast region said that the situation is worse as degradation in some areas is still happening. Majoreni Beach Management unit chair Mwabikao Khatibu said that allowing mangrove harvest will be disastrous since they depend on the trees for carbon credit business. “For us we are against any call to lift the mangrove ban because we are investing in planting and…

By Coast Times The August 9 general election ended with a lot of casualties, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) bearing the brunt of voters’ punishment after sending home several Kwale county MPs and MCAs. Two terms Lungalunga MP Khatib Mwashetani vying on UDA was the first casualty in when he was sent packing by a new comer in politics and a teacher Chiforomodo Mangale of United Democratic Movement (UDM) Chiforomodo garnered 15,267 votes as Mwashetani trailed him with 9,585 votes. Mwashetani has not yet conceded defeat. In Kinango constituency, incumbent MP Benjamin Tayari of UDA was shown the door alongside county women representative Zuleikha Juma of ODM when they were floored by Samuel Gonzi Rai of Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) who made a shocking comeback…

By Coast Time reporter Lamu county pioneer governor Issa Timamy of Amani National Congress (ANC) is back from the cold after defeating incumbent governor Fahim Twaha of Jubilee party. Timamy clinched the seat with 24,196 votes as Twaha garnered 16,054 votes. While accepting the mandate Timamy pledged to come up with a special development plan to ensure locals in the county benefit from his administration in his first 100 days in office. His priority, he said, include health, education, tourism, fishing, and agriculture, among others for revival plans once he gets in office. Others who contested included Eric Mugo Kinyua who got 2,151 votes…

By Coast Times reporter It is not easy to win a tightly contested race in a general election. It is more difficult when running against an incumbent in a crowded race. Kwale county has shot to the limelight after an MCA election in Kinango ward in Kinango constituency proved the weight of just one vote, yes one vote. One vote gave victory to Richard Itambo who is now the Kinango Ward MCA elect. Itambo vied using United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket and trounced his main opponent, incumbent Alfred Bavu of Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), with a margin of only…

By Johnson Chengo Former Devolution Cabinet Administrative Secretary (CAS) Gideon Mung’aro beat outgoing Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa in the recently concluded general election to secure Kilifi County governor seat. Mung’aro vied using Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) while Jumwa used President-Elect William Ruto’s led United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The former CAS garnered 143,773 votes against Jumwa who got 65,893 votes. Amason Kingi’s Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) party candidate George Kithi was third with 64,321 votes. This was the second attempt Mung’aro was making to clinch county’s top seat. In 2017 Mung’aro vied for the seat on a Jubilee party ticket and…

A major shake-up at the Kwale governors press team is looming as the communications director takes full charge in ensuring governor Fatuma Achani is given required coverage across all the media. It is whispered that several media personnel at the governor’s press might be redeployed to serve the county in other areas which need their services more and pave the way for two new veterans. In what seems to be plans of restructuring and ensuring committed governor press team delivery, it is whispered that communications Director Nicky Gitonga is planning to recruit more serious script writers and videographers. Coast…

For many years, women from the Muslim Community have been marginalized and seen as people who cannot lead. In most communities, a woman would only be required to get married and have children as the husband provides. However, on August 11, 2022 history was made in the Coast region when Fatuma Achani was declared the winner of the gubernatorial seat in Kwale County. She defeated five other male contestants with 59574 votes including Prof Hamadi  Boga, Lung’anzi Chai (PAA), Chirau Ali Mwakwere(Wiper), Gereza Dena (Kanu) and Sammy Ruwa (Independent). She becomes the first woman in Coast province to become governor,…

By Johnson Chengo The Kilifi County government has named his executive team, sacking all chief officers who worked under former Governor Amason Kingi. In his reorganization, Kilifi County Governor Gedion Mung’aro has sacked five county executive committee (CECs) who also worked under the former Kingi Regime, retaining the rest. Those also sent on terminal leave pending further communication on whether they would be needed or not include Prof. Josphat Mwatelah ((Roads), Prof. Gabriel Katana (Devolution, Public Service & Disaster Management), Kiringi Mwachitu (Water, Environment and Natural Resources), Nahida Mohamed (Trade and Tourism), and Luciana Sanzua (Agriculture). In a statement read…

By Coast Times correspondent Former Mwatate Member of Parliament Andrew Mwadime braved all odds to win Taita Taveta governor seat in a hotly contested election. Mwadime clinched the seat having thrown himself in the ring without being sponsored by a political party. The independent governor-elect garnered 49,901 votes. He trounced his competitor and outgoing governor Granton Samboja of Jubilee party with a resounding margin of 26,200 votes after Samboja garnered 23,701 votes. Samboja was elected with a Wiper party ticket in 2017 when he defeated the then governor John Murutu before he moved to the Jubilee party in 2022. Mwadime has served as member of parliament for Mwatate constituency since 2013. The council of governors (CoG) will now…