Author: Coast Times Digital

By Prof. Hamadi Iddi Boga This memorandum is submitted to the Kwale County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) to provide policy recommendations on the optimal utilization of mineral royalties in order to enhance long-term economic transformation, fiscal sustainability, and inclusive development in the county. Kwale County has, in the Financial Year 2025/2026, received approximately KSh 1.16 billion as its 20 percent share of mineral royalties. These funds represent a significant fiscal opportunity. However, their current allocation, as reflected in the supplementary budget, is largely directed toward infrastructure projects such as roads, dams, health facilities, and the upgrading of vocational training…

By Reporter Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani joined top UDA luminaries in the UDA sensitization meeting held at Ukunda Showground in Msambweni Constituency, Kwale County. The meeting is meant to popularize the governing party at the grassroots level as well as strengthen the party structures with major polls scheduled to take place in kwale on the month of April 23rd ,2026 Key activities include electing officials at polling centers and wards, with significant focus on regional clusters like the Coast, Lake Region, and Mt.kenya region. The high profile meeting was attended by top UDA leaders including Cabinet Secretary for Sports,Youth Affairs…

By Alloys Musyoka The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and County Government of Kwale have unveiled a KSh 24 million strategic water investment to strengthen drought resilience, enhance water security, and improve livelihoods in one of the county’s drought-prone areas. The 7.7 kilometers Taru-Roka-Egu-Kwa Kalinga Water Pipeline Extension Project, implemented by NDMA with funding from the European Union and in collaboration with the County Government of Kwale, will ensure reliable water services to over 3,300 people and 5,000 livestock across five villages in Taru location. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani described the project as a transformative…

Sprite in collaboration with Safaricom is set to host youth campaign at Pirates Beach on April 4th 2026. According to information sent to the media Sprite, the brand behind Kenya’s most talked about youth campaign of the summer, is bringing the Hook’d on Fresh activation to Pirates Beach on Friday the 4th of April. The event dubbed The Fresh Yard: a fully curated festival village embedded right inside the Easter beach party, running from noon until late in the evening. “The Coast has always had a creative identity that the rest of Kenya borrows from. Now it’s being built into…

By Shaban Omar Farmers in Kwale County have been urged to embrace certified seeds to increase agricultural productivity and improve their livelihoods. Speaking during a promotional campaign targeting maize farmers in Ukunda, Bayer East Africa officer David Muchiru said the use of certified seeds guarantees higher yields, resilience against pests, and better earnings for both smallholder and commercial farmers. He noted that many farmers across the coastal region still rely on recycled or uncertified seeds, leading to poor harvests and persistent food insecurity. Muchiru said certified seeds undergo strict quality checks and are bred to withstand harsh climatic conditions such…

By Alloys Musyoka East Africa countries have been urged to forge a coordinated regional approach to close regulatory loopholes, strengthen border controls, harmonize laws, and enhance intelligence-sharing mechanisms in making the region safe from improvised explosive devices threats. During a global counter terrorism center capacity building of experts on strengthening community resilience against improvised devices through preventive, coordinated and whole of society approaches in east African in Kwale call was made for unity. Kenya national director general counter-terrorism center Kibien Kigen said that there is a critical need for countries to work together in combating terrorisms. He said that no…

By Shaban Omar A section of Human rights defenders in Kwale County are calling for swift government action and stronger legal reforms to end statelessness in Kenya, saying thousands of long-marginalized people remain locked out of basic services despite living in the country for generations. The activists warn that communities still face discrimination, slow vetting processes, and bureaucratic obstacles that prevent them from obtaining legal identity, barriers that continue to deny them access to healthcare, mobile registration, financial services, land ownership, higher education, and formal employment. Led by rights advocate Ali Mwayanga, the group said the national government must ensure…

By Shaban Omar A section of civil society organizations in Kwale County is demanding transparency and clearer communication from the county government over the implementation of the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme, citing confusion, inadequate public engagement, and limited community involvement. Kwale, a county long affected by erratic rainfall patterns, declining agricultural yields and recurring droughts, has struggled to contain worsening food insecurity, especially in Kinango and Lunga-Lunga sub-counties. In recent years, both the national and county governments have introduced various interventions to cushion communities against climate shocks. Among them is the World Bank-funded FLLoCA programme, implemented in…

Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani has led the distribution of 4 tons of rice seeds to 400 farmers in Ramisi, Pongwe Kikoneni and Vanga ward. The distribution is part of ongoing efforts to boost agricultural productivity in the county. Speaking during the exercise, Governor Achani emphasized the critical role of agriculture in improving the county’s economy, urging farmers to make full use of the seeds provided. “For Kwale’s economy to grow, we must prioritise the agricultural sector and ensure farmers actively utilise these seeds,” Governor Achani said. She added that each farmer will receive 10 kilograms of seeds and encouraged…

By Amina Chombo President William Ruto has said that creation of the Broadbased Government by his administration enabling some of the most consequential legislation in Kenya’s development history. Ruto said the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund and the passage of the enabling law in Parliament would not have been possible without cooperation between the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The alliance he said that it has made it possible for the country to undertake projects that had long been planned but stalled due to lack of political goodwill and decisive leadership. “For those of…