Author: Coast Times Digital

By Prime Rose The floor for the 2027 gubernatorial contest in Kwale has been set if the recent declaration of Ambassador Chirau Mwakwere as the Digo spokesperson is something to go by. Mwakwere was picked to lead the Digo community alongside his deputy Marere Wa Mwachai and professor Hassan Mwakimako as secretary general. Sources have hinted to Coast Times Digital desk that Mwakwere will work with former governor candidate on ODM ticket professor Hamadi Boga to consolidate the Digo vote. Talks to have PAA candidate Lung’anzi Chai to join the team have been taking place after the 2022 general election…

By Alloys Musyoka The national government has lifted a moratorium on mining and prospecting licensing across the county that was imposed in 2019 by former president Uhuru Kenyatta. Base Titanium is one of the mining companies whose mining licence is coming to an end in 2024 and such a move will be good news as it plans to look for more areas to do mining. Addressing the media in Nairobi, Cabinet secretary for Mining and Blue economy Salim Mvurya said that Titanium is among 56 minerals that fall under the category of Industrial and construction whose moratorium has been lifted.…

By Prime Rose Transport operations were paralysed on Monday at the tourist town of Ukunda and Diani after Tuktuk drivers went on strike on leaving commuters stranded on the Likoni-LungaLunga highway. Traders who rely on Tuktuk to ferry their goods were left with no option but seeking the services of BodaBoda operators who made killing out of the situation. The Tuktuk operators said that they are against the increased fuel price by the national government which is affecting their business. They said that despite the rise in fuel price fare charged to commuters remained the same, a move that is…

The fear of massive job losses has struck the giant dock workers union (DWU), in the wake of governments planning to hand over Mombasa and Lamu ports services to private entities through concessions. The dockworkers union (DWU), which represents over 7,000 Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) workers, has therefore asked that the plan be stopped until the process is undertaken through public participation with involvement of all stakeholders Simon Sang,the dock workers union secretary general said the port will experience a decrease in direct employment if concessions take place but there will be an increase of more jobs outside the port.…

By Caroline katana  The Austrian Embassy in partnership with Kituo cha Sheria and the Kenya Prison Service has commissioned a paralegal Justice Centre at Shimo la Tewa women’s maximum prison in Mombasa County. The paralegal justice center is among the projects in Kenya funded by the Australian Embassy The center creates a safe space for inmates trained as Paralegals to offer legal advice to other inmates who in most cases are not able to articulate their issues in court. They will now be equipped with skills and knowledge to understand court procedures and be able to adequately defend themselves in…

By Primerose Omoto The Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC) in collaboration with the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Authority has launched an online Power of Mercy Petitions Management Information System (ePOMPMIS). The electronic system aims to enhance transparency, accountability, participation, and feedback on the petition process as well as increase efficiency in service delivery. This marks a new dawn for inmates and their loved ones because filing for petition has been made easier to access. The move comes after heavy criticism from the media with a focus on the credibility of investigations done prior when President Ruto pardoned the sentences…

By Caroline Katana  Faith Community Against Drug Abuse organization (FACADA) has launched a handbook to guide the clergy in the fight against drug abuse in Kwale County. The handbook has been developed under International Aid Services Denmark funded by the Danish Government. Faith-Based Organizations FBOs are trusted sources of information regarding a broad range of topics including alcohol and drug abuse prevention and counselling. “They are spun into the lives of not only individuals but the hierarchy of complete societies, ” said Emmanuel Kahaso, FACADA project officer. Alcohol usage among Kenyans aged 15 to 65 years stands at 12.2 percent,…

BY PRIMROSE OMOTO Kwale will this weekend hold a second annual cultural festival dubbed ‘Kwale Heritage and Cultural Festival’. The festival will commence on Friday running all the way to Sunday. The major event is scheduled to take place on Saturday at Waa High School and later end in Diani. The event aims to promote tourism by embracing the diverse cultural heritage and rich cultures of the Kwale people. Prime cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Mining CS Salim Mvurya and his Education Counterpart Ezekiel Machogu and Governor Fatuma Achani are among the expected guests. Speaking to Coast Times the event’s coordinator…

The government has set aside Sh1.1 billion this year to compensate victims of the wild-life conflicts, according to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza. Presently there are 2,600 claims which have not been paid for. Speaking at University of Embu during the World Tourism Day celebrations, Ms Malonza said the government is committed to ensure the victims are paid before the end of the year. The CS lamented that it has been taking too long to compensate those affected and promised that the matter will be addressed. She revealed that the government plans to establish an insurance scheme which will ensure…

By Reporter Taita Taveta County Governor Andrew Mwadime on Saturday issued a stern warning to individuals masquerading as county officials and transact business on behalf of the county government. Through a press statement, Governor Mwadime noted that his administration’s open-door policy has made the office accessible to everyone including the general public, internal and external stakeholders. He however warned that being an open-door policy administration, that does not guarantee anyone or any organization to transact any business on behalf of the County government of Taita Taveta unless there is such an agreement. This comes after an advertisement was published in…