Author: Coast Times Digital

Kwale governor Fatuma Achani has emphasized various contractors in the region to consider delivering quality work and up to the county standards. Achani said substandard work would be unacceptable adding that the county has heavily invested in them and taxpayers’ money must be accountable. She warned that any contractor who produces shoddy work risks being terminated and blacklisted from doing any county undertakings. “There is no bargain to quality work, you must do what it takes to meet our expectations,” she said. Since Achani took an oath of office last year, she has been rushing to complete and commission new…

By HELLEN AWINO With its white and soft sands, Diani beach in Kwale County has been a tourism hub for many years. Many who visit the place to rejuvenate may not know that one of the oldest Mosques in East Africa is on the shores of the most voted beach destination in the world. Kongo Mosque, built in the 14th Century, still stands strong on the beach front adjacent to beautiful scenery where river Mwachema meets the Indian Ocean. Persian Arabs merchants from Turkey were on their normal tour of business in Africa cruising the Indian Ocean when they docked at…

By FLORA AWINJA Fishing is one of the economic mainstays that of the coast region residents depend on. Residents in the region who engage in the business as fishermen and fish mongers have been receiving civic education on how to plan their families. This is in a bid to enable them to fend for smaller family units from the income generated by the business which earns them little income. At the Kilifi Central fish landing site, we find Elina Tatu and her colleague fish mongers preparing some fish they have just got from the fishermen ready to take to the…

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has threatened to withdraw scholarships to students who will fail to get quality grades. The governor has already started issuance of scholarships to all continuing students. He said his administration is aiming at supporting needy but bright students to pursue their secondary school education. The governor has issued cheques worth Ksh. 4.9 million to Lamu Girls Secondary School which will cater for over 200 continuing students that are already enrolled under the scholarship program. Timamy has further reiterated his commitment to improving the standards of education in Lamu and congratulated the outstanding students under the scholarship…

It might take a while for Shimba Hills and many other Kwale residents affected by human-wildlife conflicts to find peace. However, the good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. A hope that they have been eagerly waiting for the past years. This follows the announcement by the Kenya Wildlife Services to bring to an end the long-suffering of the Kwale people who have suffered at the hands of the rogue animals. The locals have been watching helplessly as the uninvited baboons, elephants and monkeys cause massive damage to their crops and property. The residents…

The German Embassy representative to Kenya Ralf Pfitzmeir has lauded Lamu county government for its effort in reviving the tourism sector in the area. “At the backdrop of Covid19 global effects and travel advisories to Lamu, Governor Timamy has demonstrated his commitment towards supporting Lamu’s resilient but fragile industry. My visit to Lamu is an affirmation that we are committed towards making Lamu the most preferred tourism destination for our nationals,” stated Mr. Pfitzmeir. Pfitzmeir made the remarks while paying a courtesy call to Lamu Governor Issa Timamy where they discussed issues around how Lamu could provide a safe environment…

By Johnson Chengo Kilifi county government will ensure that 30 per cent Access to government procurement opportunities are taken by women, youths and people with disability. Governor Gideon Mung’aro said that his administration is focused on making the dream a reality to the residents. He said that his administration will work under the Access to Government procurement opportunities program to ensure all tenders meant for the youths, women and disabled groups are beneficial to them. “I desire to see 30 per cent of Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) go to Women, Youth and People with Disabilities (PWDs,” he added.…

By Flora Awinja Diani, an award winning tourist destination in Kwale is set to hold its first walk for fitness this Saturday (February 25). The inaugural walk comes as hundreds of Coast residents are adapting to the walking culture for fitness. Tens of residents are expected to participate in the inaugural 6km walk that will mark the beginning of a series of similar exercises whose core purpose will be fitness. According to organizers who spoke to Coast Times Digital participants will begin walking for fitness at Corner Beach near Naivas Supermarket, through Ibiza Market, Kona Musa to Mvindeni Red Cross…

By Hellen Awino A section of youth in Kwale County have embraced technical and manual jobs in a bid to earn a decent living and avoid involvement in criminal gangs and drug abuse. At Josef Seibel Africa LTD in Mvindeni, Msambweni Sub- County, ninety percent of the workforce is youth. Josef Seibel is a shoe manufacturing company with a base in Germany. The factory set foot in Mvindeni at the height of the Corona pandemic in 2020 that had engulfed the world leaving many destitute and without jobs. Many unskilled young men and women got the opportunity to join the factory and get on-job…

By Flora Awinja Kwale county government has constructed a state-of-the-art wholesale, fresh produce and retail market at Mvindeni in Msambweni sub-county. It will be the largest after the Kongowea market in Mombasa county built at a cost of Sh46 million at its first phase. The market will include a modern bus park, business stalls, stores, lavatories and a proper drainage system for better hygiene. Once completed it will accommodate more than 2000 traders. Traders from Ibiza, Ukunda showground and Calyspo are set to occupy the market by the end of the first quarter of 2023. The traders are now being…