Author: Coast Times Digital

By Carol Samini Katana (Kenya) On the sunlit shores of Diani Beach in Kenya, Francis and Joyce, a newlywed couple from Uganda, stroll barefoot across the warm sands, laughter rising above the soft murmur of waves. For them, this goes beyond a honeymoon. It’s a celebration of culture and the ease of moving freely within East Africa. Their romantic getaway was made possible by relaxed border restrictions, regional cooperation, and a shared vision of turning Africa’s cultural and natural diversity into a hub for intra-continental honeymoon tourism. Meanwhile, for another couple, Abdirasul Mohammed and Nusyibah Juma, love found its rhythm…

By Reporter The Kudzecha Women Limited Company in Lungalunga Sub County has secured a six-month tender worth Ksh 1.9 million from the Kwale County Government to clean and maintain the Lungalunga Town. The local enterprise has been entrusted with the responsibility of cleaning key public areas like the market area, maintaining the town’s drainage system, planting trees among others. Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani has praised the efforts of the Women and youth enterprises across the County, highlighting the importance of involving local businesses in county development initiatives. “This project aligns with our long-term goals of fostering inclusive economic growth…

By Reporter Kilifi County residents received over KSh 60 million in compensation for losses linked to human–wildlife conflict, marking a significant step in restoring trust and dignity among the affected families. ‎This was payment from 2014 to October 2020, clearing part payments for human deaths. In the meantime, the government is committed to clearing all pending compensation claims. ‎Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Hon. Rebecca Miano, accompanied by KWS Board of Trustees Chairman Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Walter Raria Koipaton and KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga, led the cheque issuance ceremony in Marafa. Also present were Kilifi Deputy Governor…

By NURU SALIM Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has sounded the alarm on the rising tide of drug and substance abuse in the county, warning that prevention is the most effective way than cure. Speaking during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking that was held at Kombani Grounds, Achani emphasized the need to tackle root causes and break the cycle of dependency that continues to claim young lives across the county. “We have over 700 drug users seeking daily medication in our rehab centers. Some relapse the same day they receive treatment. That cycle must end,” she declared. “If you haven’t started using drugs, don’t…

By Reporter The Lamu County Government has initiated the establishment of disaster management clubs in schools to enhance preparedness and response to emergencies. The initiative which has so far roped in 19 schools from the Hindi Ward region, seeks to establish a culture of quick responses and early interventions to disasters within schools in the event of calamities such flash floods, fires and disaster risk reduction. Speaking during the Trainers of Trainers workshop held in Hindi, Ms. Khadija Fumo Chief Officer of Public Service Management, emphasized the need for early interventions in school settings through the students especially in schools…

By NURU SALIM A mass registration exercise in Dzombo Ward, Lunga-Lunga Sub-county, has brought to light a concerning spike in cerebral palsy cases among children and critical shortages in disability care services underscoring the need for targeted government intervention. The mass registration exercise conducted by Muslim Women Advancement of Rights and Protection (MWARP) in collaboration with the Kwale County Disability Council and the County Department of Health has registered more than 300 persons living with Disabilities (PWDs) as part of a wider campaign to bring essential services closer to remote communities. According to Sanga Kabuka, a disability specialist and lead doctor in the exercise, 52 children were assessed, with 20 cases of children confirmed to…

BY SHABAN OMAR  A non-governmental organization, Muslim Women Advancement of Rights and Protection (MWARP), in partnership with the Department of Health in Kwale County, has officially launched a registration exercise for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the region. The main objective of the exercise is to gather accurate data on the number and needs of people living with disabilities. The program seeks to enable both the national and county government to offer targeted support through policies, budgeting, and development initiatives that address their unique challenges. The initiative comes amid rising concerns that many PWDs have long been sidelined in national…

By NURU SALIM A renewed call to recognize and support widows through national legislation echoed at Msambweni Forest during the International Widows Day commemorations. Held under the theme “Rights, Dignity, and Justice for Widows,” the event brought together hundreds of widows, activists, and community leaders who aim to press Parliament to fast-track the long-overdue Widows Bill. According to 2019 census data, Kwale County had 16,953 widows with Msambweni alone accounting for 7,023, Kinango 5,508, and the remaining sub-counties 4,422. However, widow advocates say the numbers have since increased significantly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many…

By Nuru Salim More than 20 pregnant women have died in Kwale County this year, according to figures from the County Health Department. The grim tally has sent shockwaves through health circles and raised serious questions about access to timely and adequate maternal care in the Kwale. The spike comes as Fanikisha Foundation, a reproductive health-focused organization, sounded the alarm this week, warning that if the trend continues unchecked, the 2024/2025 period could end up worse than the already troubling numbers of 2023/2024. “According to statistics we have a challenge of mothers attending the antenatal clinics. Ideally, mothers are expected…

BY SHABAN OMAR  A section of Kwale KUPPET teachers has intensified calls for the resignation of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin, and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen following the mysterious death of a Homa Bay school teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody in Nairobi. This comes just a day after Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat stepped aside to pave the way for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, which has sparked national outrage and widespread condemnation. Speaking during a press briefing at Kwale Baraza Park…