Author: Coast Times Digital

By Lamu Reporter  At least 5,000 farmers who partake in growing Sunflower, Simsim and nuts are set to benefit with the launch and commissioning of a maiden Edible Oil Processing Plant in Mpeketoni aimed at boosting the income of these farmers through value addition from their crop. The plant was launched as a result of a collaboration between the Lamu County Government and  the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate  (AFA) to install an Edible Oil Processing machine that will create agricultural value addition and open new opportunities for farmers by boosting local production. Speaking during the launch of the Edible…

By Alloys Musyoka The Caucus of liquor licensing and control boards has criticized NACADA for coming up with a policy aimed at taking away county governments mandate against the constitution. The NACADA proposed Alcohol, drugs and substances abuse policy 2025 has rubbed stakeholders in the country the wrong way. Speaking in Diani-Kwale county, the caucus said that they will not allow anyone to muzzle county governments powers as enshrined in the constitution. They said that the alcoholic drinks control act 2010 places responsibility of liquor licensing and regulations squarely within the mandate of the county governments. “The proposal to centralize…

By Reporter ‎‎Cotton farmers in the coastal region are set for a major boost as the newly constructed ginnery at Kwale nears completion, with only the installation of ginning machines remaining. For years, farmers have been forced to transport their produce to distant counties such as Makueni, Kitui, and Meru, incurring high costs and logistical challenges. ‎‎The Kwale facility is expected to ease this burden by providing a nearby processing centre, cutting transportation expenses, and opening new opportunities through the cotton value chain. ‎‎According to PAVI Cotton Cooperative Society chair, Jackson Ndurya, the ginnery will not only process cotton lint…

By Court reporter Kenya Roads Board Chairperson Aisha Jumwa has filed a suit seeking to block the circulation of a nine-year-old video clip in which she is allegedly heard hurling unprintable epithets at a journalist. Ms Jumwa has sued political activists Idd Salim alias Kamanda and Matano Maingi, whom she accuses of widely disseminating the recording they allegedly received from journalist Renson Kombe Yeri, who is said to have recorded the insults during a telephone conversation with Ms Jumwa in 2016. She claims that the two activists are circulating the said video recording on their WhatsApp and Facebook accounts to…

Lamu County medical practitioners have joined the list of other counties on strike over salary disputes. The medics, comprising nurses and clinical officers drawn from various county health facilities in the lamu, opted for industrial action after the county government failed to meet their demands after expiry of a 14-day ultimatum. Speaking in Mokowe today during the protest, Lamu County Health Workers Union Chairman Stephen Ewoyi stated that the strike had been drawn following the county government’s reluctance to address long standing issues affecting county health workers in Lamu. “The current administration seems to have shut the door to addressing…

By Rarieya Asin Shela residents in Lamu County have protested against the alleged land grabbing of at least 300 acres of water catchment land that serves as the main source of fresh water for more than 50,000 Amu and Manda Island residents. The protest was led by youths drawn from Shella Villages, with residents expressing concern over the illegal fencing and proposed development on the Shella water catchment and dune system. The Shela sand dunes system is a critical freshwater catchment area for Lamu Island that has over the years faced extensive land grabbing and encroachment by well connected land…

BY SHABAN OMAR For years, Mwafitina Bakari and Fatuma Mwadosho could only dream of flicking a switch and seeing light fill their homes. Nights in Mkokoni village, Matuga sub-county, were long and dark, with families relying on kerosene lamps and firewood. Today, their dream has finally come true. The two are among 202 residents who have recently been connected to electricity under the government’s Last Mile Connectivity Initiative. The project, which was commissioned earlier this month by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi alongside Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, has brought a new dawn to this once-forgotten fishing and farming community. The…

The Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programs, Geoffrey Ruku, has urged all government ministries, departments, and agencies to decentralize their operations by availing more services through Huduma Centres across the country. Speaking during a government relief outreach in Lamu East, Lamu County, CS Ruku stressed that no Kenyan should be forced to travel long distances to access government services that should be easily available at nearby Huduma Centres. “I am urging all ministries and government agencies to urgently make all possible services available in Huduma Centres. Kenyans deserve easy, convenient, and efficient access to public…

By Reporter Lamu Women Alliance Executive Director Raya Famau has urged Lamu residents to only vote in local based leaders in the upcoming 2027 election. The human rights activist who was speaking in a public forum held in Amu Island stated that Lamu has over the past elections been voting in leaders who mostly live and have their home base in Mombasa, Nairobi and Kilifi and may not be familiar with the problems affecting Lamu residents. “The biggest leadership challenge in Lamu, stems from Lamu residents always voting in candidates from other counties who are not be familiar with the…

By Reporter Kiunga Health Centre  has received face lift and is set to be fully equipped in bid to improve medical service delivery at the Lamu-Ras Kamboni border point The Lamu County Government has refurbished the Kiunga Health Centre in a bid to improve health service delivery at the country’s border point area. The initiative is expected to improve access to healthcare for residents and individuals crossing the border area and will address potential health risks associated with cross-border movement and ensuring timely access to medical services. In a move signaling significant advancements in healthcare for the local community, Speaking…