Author: Coast Times Digital

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…

The election petition challenging the election of Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has been thrown out by the Malindi High Court. Lady Justice Anne Adwera Onginjo ruled that the petitioners failed to prove that the election was marred with malpractices including voter bribery, intimidation and ballot staffing as claimed. She also slapped the petitioners with the costs of the suit that was set at Sh. 6 million. Three youthful Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) supporters, Mr Justine Chinga Chirume, Mr Justin Charo Baya and Mr Salim Chai Tsui had moved to court to challenge the election of Mung’aro and his deputy Florah…

Former Ndavaya ward representative has appealed to Kwale county governor to support over 500 people affected by the hurricane at Ndavaya town with food. During the incident that occurred on 1 January this year about 102 households were affected where locals were rendered homeless after roofs of their houses were blown off. The former MCA Masudi Ngando said that locals have not come to terms with the calamity a month after it took place. “I am appealing to Governor Fatuma Achani to do something for my people, they are really suffering. I know she can help,” he said. Speaking at…

By Johnson Chengo A coast based environmentalist Dr. Edwin Mwinga Chokwe has raised concerns after a private developer illegally cut down trees along the Machakos-Liwatoni road. The vocal environmentalist staged an on-site protest against the private developer’s alleged inaction over illegal cutting down of twenty indigenous trees planted on a pedestrian walk as he encroached on erecting a concrete wall. The developer, who has leased a go-down belonging to the old Kenya railways station in Mombasa, is alleged to have cut down the trees without the approval of the Kenya Forest Services, NEMA and Mombasa County Government. The trees were…

Lamu County Government has initiated the construction of the first Emergency Operation Center. The ground-breaking ceremony was graced by Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy and once complete, the center will host response units that are responsible for promoting efficient organization and coordination of search, rescue operations, disaster and emergency response within rescue region. The center will act as a resource center to the County government, Red Cross, World Wide Fund, Police among others to enable them operate from a central coordinated place whenever there are hazards and emergencies. “This disaster rescue center will be a game changer towards responding to…