Author: Coast Times Digital

By Caroline Katana Lunga residents and girls in Kwale County are set to benefit from a one-year civic education and rights program dubbed the KWEMA project. It is a pilot project implemented by the G for Girls organization aimed at sensitizing the community to child rights protection. The new development follows the surging alarming cases of sexual gender-based violence among young girls in the area. Speaking during an SGBV sensitization forum in Vanga ward, G for Girls, Director Prisca Mongera said they are partnering with different organizations to advocate for child rights in about six schools. “We are implementing various…

Kilifi County Park fees standoff escalate The tourism business in Kilifi has been paralyzed after Watamu and Malindi boat owners and operators went on strike protesting against the new e-citizen system introduced by the government claiming it was delaying tourists. Thousands of tourists have been left stranded following the strike that has seen all boats grounded as owners and operators demand that all tourists be allowed to pay via Mpesa. According to them the county government has increased park fees for non-residents and the requirement for foreigners to pay in dollars via ecotizen to gain access to national parks. “The…

At least 29 Kwale youth have been trained in coaching skills to boost football and talents at the grassroots level in the region. The youth were awarded Diploma coaching certificates known as CAF-D. The training was organized by a Kwale youth-based affairs NGO Samba Sports youth agenda in partnership with Base Titanium and FKF through a programme dubbed SHIFT. The organization’s CEO Mohammed Mwachausa said the program seeks to nurture talents and transform youth through sports. He said they intend to get youth out of the wild streets to prevent them from joining criminal gangs and use of drugs and…

By Johnson Chengo Rabai Member of Parliament Kenga Mupe has promised to invest heavily in the education sector to change the lives of residents Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony at Kaliang’ombe primary school, Mupe said he will work closely with the two sets of government to improve education levels and urged residents to forge a united front. “Education has always been close to my heart because I understand the power that it has in changing an individual’s life and this is why I found it fit to work with different stakeholders including the County government to make sure the level…

Kwale residents have welcomed the exploration program by Base Titanium as they seek to reap significant employment opportunities that will change their lives.  At least over 800 locals comprising the youth, women and elders have been employed in various areas earning a living. The Australian firm commenced the exploration exercise in several areas last year in a bid to extend the mining life. The current minerals are expected to be depleted by December 2024. Since the exercise began the area youth, women and elders have secured jobs and reported to have changed lives. A resident, Ali Kasim Mwakazi said locals…

English and Literacy program is changing the lives of hundreds of students in Kwale County. The project dubbed Intellectual Literacy and Leadership program was introduced in schools to assist learners in skillfully speaking and writing in English. Most learners in the region are reported to have no proper command of the English language because of excessive use of vernacular and Kiswahili language resulting in poor academic performances. So far the program has reached over 700 hundred students from around 10 schools both in high school and primary learning institutions. It is managed by a coastal-based youth affairs non-governmental organization Samba…

By Johnson Chengo Kaloleni Member of Parliament Paul Katana has challenged Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to unite the nation instead of dividing it. Speaking in Mnazimmwenga Primary school when he led the groundbreaking ceremony of two classrooms, Katana accused the deputy president serving the interests of the Mt Kenya region. “The Presidency which Gachagua is part of is a symbol of unity for the country and not mt. Kenya only. Whenever he speaks it’s about mt Kenya. This is wrong for a leader like him who hold the second highest office in the Country. Am expecting to talk about exclusivity,”…

Australian mining company, Base Titanium in Kwale County has hinted that they have only six weeks left to determine their extended mining life in the region.  The company recently sounded an alarm that its exploration window to find new mineral deposits is closing down as several challenges have slowed the process. Despite government assurance that the company’s licenses will be renewed, the management said if the exercise fails they will shut operations in December 2024. The company’s External Affairs General Manager Simon Wall said some families have refused to give consent for the exploration and some drilling must be done…

The Australian Mining Firm Base Titanium in partnership with the Kenya Red Cross has embarked on training students and the mining-affected communities on matters of safety and first aid. The training program has been rolled out in primary schools, secondary, colleges and universities. Base’s Compliance, Safety and Administration officer Clapaton Nyinge Ngome said the training is part of the company’s commitment to ensuring maximum safety and responsible mining activities. “The company has structures of safety management and emergency preparedness that are key in our mining operations,” he said. Ngome said the mineral sand harvesting firm doesn’t take matters of safety…

By Johnson Chengo Environmental activists in Kilifi County have faulted President William Ruto’s decision saying he would have consulted them before lifting the six years logging ban. The activists led by Gro With Us African managing director Kelly Banda, said the ban has caused a lot of mixed reactions with the majority fearing that the country will not hit its target of 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of the effort to combat climate change. Speaking to the media in Kidundu village after planting more than 10,000 mangrove seedlings, Banda said the president’s move was premature and it will…