Author: Coast Times Digital

By Caroline Katana Diarrhea is a leading killer of children, accounting for approximately 9 percent of all deaths among children under age 5 worldwide since 2021. This translates to over 1,200 young children dying each day or about 444,000 children a year despite the availability of a simple treatment solution. Every day 2,000 African children die from diarrhea, entirely preventable deaths. Nine out of ten cases of diarrhea can be prevented by safe water and sanitation-proven cost-effective interventions. Unfortunately, the burden of diarrhea remains high and inadequately characterized owing to the complex interplay that the environment, food, water, and sanitation…

By Reporter Hundreds of youths gathered today on Lamu Island to protest the collective decision of their local MPs to support the disputed Finance Bill 2024. The demonstration was spearheaded by the coordinator of Muslims for Human Rights, Mohammed Skanda, who criticized the MPs for being out of touch with the realities faced by Lamu residents. “The decision by the Lamu legislators to vote ‘Yes’ for the Finance Bill 2024 shows a clear disconnect from the plight of our people,” Skanda declared during the rally. He emphasized that the bill, expected to pass in Parliament this week, would significantly raise…

By Reporter Kwale rights organizations under Kwale Mining Alliance and a section of mining-affected communities have cried foul over the newly launched post-mining land use committee. The PMLU committee was unveiled in early May by the Mining CS Salim Mvurya to oversee the implementation of the mined land as the Australian Mining Company Base Titanium prepares to shut down operations. The committee comprises 19 members headed by the Mining PS. However, the group has declared the committee null and void, decrying that the national government failed to include a representative of the affected communities and civil society organizations in the…

By Reporter The coastal scribes have been urged to develop a saving culture for their retirement. Retirement Benefits Authority In charge of Supervision Jackson Nguthu said most scribes live miserable lives after retirement for failing to plan. “The majority of journalists do not have a saving culture; they live hand to mouth, and when it is time to leave their jobs, poverty strikes,” he said. Nguthu said he is cognizant of the fact that the media industry and local journalists suffer numerous challenges ranging from poor payment and financial constraints. He said whatever the challenges scribes must embrace personal financial…

By Reporter The once Giant sleepy Kwale town may be forced to wake up in the next four months as president William Rutos will be presiding over Mashujaa day at the newly constructed Kwale Stadium. Traders have been notified to prepare renovating their business premises in readiness to host the national event. Those operating under shanty roofs have been told to either build their shops and make them presentable or demolish them. It is not a request to have Kwale town sparkling with good looking structures but a directive to be implemented in the few coming months to the Mashujaa…

By Reporter National Government to Invest in Lamu Industries, Boosting Jobs and Economic Opportunities The national government will provide support for target industries within Lamu in a bid to spur the growth of jobs and investment opportunities within the frontier county. Speaking during the Medium Term Plan dissemination stakeholders forum in Lamu Island today, the PS stated that the national government besides investing Kshs 60 billion towards the operationalization of the Lamu Port, plans were underway to support the establishment of processing plants in; fishing, fruit, cotton, coconut and cashewnuts. He cited that investors had already been tapped to invest…

By Reporter A coalition of Lamu leaders has called on the national government to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Hindi-Kiunga road, citing its disuse as a significant impediment to travel and trade within the county. The 150-kilometer road, alongside the 100-kilometer Ijara-Hulugho road, has been earmarked for funding worth Kshs 25 billion. This initiative when complete will bolster security and increase trade in the Lamu Boni and border point areas. Speaking to the media, former Kiunga Ward MCA Sheikh Babaad highlighted the deteriorating condition of the Hindi-Kiunga road, which he claimed has hindered the transport of a refurbished generator to…

By Caroline Katana Various factors make it impossible for girls to get an education in our country, the poverty rate is alarming, and even though education is made free it still involves a substantial cost to send girls to school. Families who are struggling to make ends meet fail to pay the education expenses of their children, in some areas students have to walk a long distance to reach their school, this is where the safety of the girls gets compromised so parents don’t see it fit to send them off so far. Other than that social issues like child…

By Caroline Katana Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of genital cancers globally with cervical cancer as the top cause of cancer–related deaths in women. Over 90 percent of these deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries where cancer control strategies remain inadequate. HPV vaccination protects against HPV types 16 and 18 which are responsible for approximately 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. The optimal age of vaccination is in the early adolescent period, before sexual debut with possible HPV infection. Studies have shown that children residing in low and middle settlements are at risk of early initiation of…

By Alloys Musyoka The Kwale water and sewerage company has urged Kwale Christian youth Investment group to follow laid down rules in managing the World Bank Ablution block for public use. The group is among others that have won tenders to manage the Ablution blocks within Kwale town some months after they were opened by Governor Fatuma Achani. Among laid down rules include gender based violence compliance, serving people living with special abilities with respect, treating all customers with respect and ensuring the washrooms are clean all the time. Kwale water and Sewerage Company’s managing director Eric Parmet said that…