Author: Coast Times Digital

By Mwanaharusi Rashid. Wiper Democratic Movement Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, has urged President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja one Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga to intervene following a High Court order that stopped the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report on electoral justice recommendations. During a press briefing in Diani, Kwale County, Kalonzo accused the state of exerting undue influence on the judiciary to sway judgments, thus undermining its independence. He termed the court order as a deliberate delay tactic in the implementation of the report. As the Co-Chair of NADCO Kalonzo criticized the court order issued…

By Caroline Katana Mangrove forests are important strategic assets that provide many benefits for sustainable development and offer diverse ecosystem services, including climate change mitigation, recreation, coastal protection, and food production. Despite these benefits, only four countries account for over 40 percent of the total global mangrove area,  Indonesia leads with 19 percent, followed by Brazil with 9 percent, Nigeria with 7 percent, and Mexico with 6 percent according to the Food and Agricultural Organization ( FAO) 2020 report. However, with the changing global socio-economic development matrices occasioned by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change, existing literature…

By Alloys Musyoka With the increasing demand for prime land, especially the beach plots, some of Kaya forests are no more with others being on the verge of disappearing as the land-grabbing deepens in Kwale County. This is due to limited beach land for development along the coastal region forcing land grabbers to change their focus on fertile sacred Kaya forests. Making it worse the main culprits are often private developers, state officers, and some politicians who collude to steal the Kaya forest lands. The situation threatens the existence of the Kaya forests and endangered forest coverage and animal species as well…

By Mwanaharusi Rashid In a milestone moment for environmental conservation efforts, Mikoko Pamoja, a community-led initiative is celebrating a decade of successful mangrove preservation in the Gasi area of Kwale County. Founded on the principles of sustainable development and community empowerment, Mikoko Pamoja has emerged as a beacon of hope for mangrove ecosystems, demonstrating the power of grassroots action in safeguarding biodiversity and mitigating climate change impacts. Historically, communities adjacent to Gazi Bay, in Kwale County, relied heavily on the mangrove forests for timber, a practice that jeopardized this vital ecosystem. However, recognizing the unsustainability of such actions, they embarked…

By Reporter The Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga has urged coastal youth to quit Muguka and shun drugs. Chidzuga said Muguka has turned energetic youth into zombies. She said the drug is draining the youth financially, especially boda boda operators, who are unable to save money because of the muguka. “The boda boda youth use the first few shillings to buy muguka and by the end are left with nothing,” she said. Chidzuga decried that the increased uptake of muguka and drugs among the coastal youth has reached a worrying trend and requires immediate intervention and cooperation to stem the…

By Primerose Omoto In a concerning trend, Kwale County has experienced a significant rise in vandalism incidents targeting the Kenya Power infrastructure. The repeated acts of vandalism have primarily affected transformers and power line cables, leading to widespread power supply disruptions and substantial financial losses for the utility provider. The surge in such criminal activities has prompted Kenya Power to join forces with security agencies and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) to bolster surveillance measures and intensify crackdowns on the perpetrators. “These collaborative efforts aim to curb the vandalism that not only causes power outages but also poses serious safety…

Msambweni Community Development Agreement Committee was lauded for doing a lot in ensuring the public understands what they have been implementing since they took office in 2021. These came out after a presentation by Omar Fakii and immediate secretary to the committee during the Power of voices partnership project review forum organized by Transparency international. In his presentation Fakii showcased tens of development projects in Ramisi,Kinondo,Ukunda and Bongwe-Gombato wards for the last three years. Some of the projects are complete while others are ongoing. Fakii said that the Sh5 million loans project to locals failed since beneficiaries did not repay…

By Caroline Katana Historical land injustices in Kenya have remained a thorn in the flesh of many. Whenever Kenya goes to a general election every five years, historical land injustices have acted as a rallying cry for many politicians who use it to woo voters with the promise of returning the land or settling land concerns if one is elected. Several regimes that have ruled since independence have not been able to tackle this issue, as it is considered to be an emotive agenda. Many people have lost their lives, and others displaced from their respective lands, various attempts have…

By Primrose Omoto In a move that introduces a new era for Kenya’s energy sector, Kenya Power has introduced two groundbreaking tariffs aimed at revolutionizing how Kenyans consume electricity. The Time of Use (ToU) tariff and the e-mobility tariff are set to pave the way for a more sustainable and energy efficient future. The ToU tariff offers a 50% discount for electricity used during off-peak hours between 10 pm and 6 am on weekdays. Coast Regional Manager Eng. Phineas Marete explained, “The tariff is designed to encourage industries and commercial power users to shift their high-energy consumption to hours when…

By Mwanaharusi Rashid. The government is actively addressing the surge in juvenile gang activities in Kwale County, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga. Chidzuga, following a security meeting held at Kwale Cultural Center with county security officials and area chiefs, emphasized the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and local authorities in combating the rising menace. The meeting was prompted by increasing incidents of violence perpetrated by juvenile gangs, causing concerns over the safety and security of residents. Chidzuga stressed the need for a coordinated approach to tackle the root causes of insecurity, calling on area…