Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Water Services and Infrastructure Development Hemed Mwabudzo has urged residents in the county to stop burning bushes following several incidences of bush fire that have razed down a number of households in Pongwe/Kikoneni ward in Lunga Lunga Sub-County.

Addressing Utsamba villagers on Tuesday where 27 individuals were rendered homeless after a fire incidence, Mr Mwabudzo asked the residents especially farmers to be more careful especially during this dry season. The fire razed down four houses on Monday.

Mzizima Village Unit Administrator Abdallah Mwatsuphiro at Utsamba village. Photo: Ali Kipapuro

Mr Mwabudzo who represented Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy Madam Fatuma Achani in donating foodstuffs and none food items to the affected families said the dry weather had made it more dangerous where wild fires can easily ignite.

“The county government is always out to help when such incidences occur, but we urge all people especially farmers to avoid burning bushes. Such incidences will not be reported if we embrace modern farming methods,” he said.

Among the items donated to the affected families are 9 mattresses, 10 bales of maize flour, two 90kg bags of beans, 5 bags of rice, 5 jericans of cooking oil, sufurias, cups, basins, spoons and plates.

The County Project Liaison Officer who is also the County Disaster Management Coordinator Joseph Thoya, Pongwe/Kikoneni Ward Administrator Juma Salim Mwaziro, Mzizima Village Unit Administrator Abdallah Mwatsuphiro among other county government officers accompanied Mr Mwabudzo in Utsamba.

A week ago, over 44 residents were left homeless after bush fire gutted down six houses in Kiwambale village and one house in Mshiu village, which are also in Pongwe/Kikoneni ward in Lunga Lunga Sub-County.

Since the commencement of the ‘Elimu Ni Sasa Initiative’ in Kwale County by H.E Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy H.E Fatuma Achani, the county has made significant strides in the education sector.

To date the County Government of Kwale has constructed 310 modern Early Childhood Education Centers across the county, a move that has seen the rise of children enrollment in schools.

A modern ECDE Center in Kwale County. Photo: Ali Haji Kipapuro

Each ECDE Center constructed by the County Government of Kwale consists of two classrooms equipped with tables and chairs, an office, kitchen and a toilet block. They also have water storage facilities and playing equipment for the kids.

To further motivate the children who join these institutions, the County Government of Kwale also has a reliable feeding (uji) program in all county ECDE Centers.

Moses Mwadzine a resident of Kalalani Village Unit in Mwavumbo Ward praises the County Government of Kwale for this initiative.

According to him the program has been successful.

Kwale Governor H.E Salim Mvurya and his Deputy H.E Fatuma Achani have held talks with World Bank mission and other stakeholders on the progress of the multi-billion Mwache Dam project.

The discussions held at the Governor’s office in Kwale mainly focused on various stakeholders' preparations in the project implementation process.

Governor Salim Mvurya and Deputy Fatuma Achani with the World Bank Mission. Photo: Ali Kipapuro 

Governor Mvurya assured the World Bank mission that Kwale County Government is fully supporting this project aimed at changing the livelihoods of Kwale County residents.

"I urge all stakeholders involved to work together in the realisation of Mwache Dam project, through exchange of ideas, experiences and expertise," Mvurya said.

The County boss also assured that the County Government of Kwale is working closely with the national government in ensuring that issues of compensation and relocation are dealt with accordingly before the project commences.

The multi-billion Mwache Dam project is funded by World Bank through the national government.

Kwale Deputy Governor Ms Fatuma Achani has launched a campaign among women to fight early pregnancies in the county through a vigorous sensitisation programme.

Ms Achani said the programme will involve women in all the village units in Kwale County.

The Deputy Governor launched the campaign at the Methodist Church of Kenya hall at Kinango where she hosted the second Women Round Table workshop in Kwale County.

Kwale Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani in Kinango Sub County. Photo: Ali Kipapuro

The first workshop was held in Kinondo ward, Msambweni Sub-County.

The workshop sponsored by UN Women and the Council of Governors (COG) is a women initiative to sensitise them on socio-economic and political opportunities for the woman in society.

"From this gathering, I want you to go back to your respective village units, form committees and arrange programmes where we can visit all schools and talk to the pupils," she said.

She said teenage pregnancies had threatened the education of the girl child necessitating immediate mitigation measures.

"Some of the reasons for this evil is poverty, broken families, single parenting among others. Some of our girls lack even soap and other basics thereby becoming easy prey to men," she said.

She said her campaign will involve economically empowering the parents and girls, such as providing them with life basics.

The initiative comes amidst a national alarm over student pregnancies as manifested during the recent KCPE and KCSE examinations where several girls sat for their papers in maternity wards.

The Women Round Table initiative is being conducted by all female Deputy Governors across the country.

"When you are ready with the committees, inform me and we shall kick off the visits immediately. I am ready," she told the 200 women adding that village, ward and sub-county administrators will also be involved.

She said Governor Salim Mvurya's administration had given education first priority with Sh400 million annually going to bursaries for national school students supporting 3,800 students, more than 1,400 others in universities, more than 40,000 in county schools as well as paying Sh15,000 per polytechnic student.

Source: Kwale GPS

In 2014 the County Government of Kwale under the leadership of Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy Fatuma Achani initiated the County Integrated Food Security Program aimed at changing peoples lives and making Kwale County food secure.

Through this program the County Government bought two tractors for each ward and also started distributing hybrid cows, goats and seeds to farmers. 

In Mwereni ward Lunga Lunga Sub-County Robert Joho Kaziyahindi is one of the beneficiaries who received a hybrid bull from the county government in 2014. 

Kaziyahindi recounts how this program has changed his life. “I used the bull to crossbreed my local breed cattle,” he says.

Joho Kaziyahindi points at some of his crossbreed cows. Photo: Ali Kipapuro

Today, he sells over 40 litres of milk per day compared to around 10 to 20 litres he used to sell before.

“I sell my milk to local markets and use the profit I make to cater for my basic needs,” he further explains.

Kaziyahindi who now owns over 200 heads of hybrid cattle also expects to sell over 70 bulls by the end of this year, whereby the market price of a bull is between 70,000 and 100,000 Kenyan shillings.

Before, he used to sell the local breed bulls at around 30,000 shillings.

Kaziyahindi's bulls fighting. Photo: Ali Kipapuro

“Through the County Integrated Food Security Program, Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy Fatuma Achani have helped many farmers in Kwale County. Some of us got hybrid cattle, other received seedlings while fishermen benefited from boats and fishing gears,” Kaziyahindi happily explains.

Kaziyahindi has used his livestock project to build a rental house in Likoni Mombasa County, which earns him a remarkable sum each month. He has also paid secondary school fees for his three children.

“Currently I am putting up a residential house in Mwereni at an expected cost of two million Kenyan shillings, a project which is also funded by this project,” he says.

Though Kaziyahindi and other farmers in Mwereni ward face similar challenges such as water scarcity, he hopes that those challenges will be solved once and for all.

Source: Catherine Nyokabi

In a bid to realize the big four agendas of growing the manufacturing sector, increasing food security, providing universal healthcare and affordable housing, the County Government of Kwale has pledged to work closely with investors and other development partners.

Already, multi-billion investment projects have been started in various parts of the county.

Addressing Kwale residents in Samburu during the ground breaking ceremony of Devki Steel Mill Limited on August 7^th 2018, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya assured investors of good working environment to ensure their projects are fully implemented.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya (L) with Trade, Industry and Cooperatives CS Peter Munya. Photo: Ali Kipapuro

He added that once the 500 billion Kenyan shillings project is complete, it will serve the steel demands of many African countries.

“As a government we will work closely with the management of Devki Steel Mills to ensure this project benefits the people of Kwale County.” Mvurya assured.

Mvurya also stated that in the 2018/2019 financial year, the County Government of Kwale has allocated funds in its budget to facilitate the construction of a fruit processing plant in Shimba Hills, Kubo South Ward - Matuga Sub County.

The project scheduled to commence very soon is among the Kwale County’s top investments aimed at ensuring food security.

“On matters of food security we have partnered with the National Government and other stakeholders in the construction of a 279 million Kenyan shillings dam at Nyalani in Kinango Sub County. The County Government is also planning to construct four more big dams in the county.” Mvurya said.

CEC Bungale commissioning Asante Capital EPZ at Mvindeni. Photo: Ali Kipapuro

On Thursday August 9^th 2018, Acting Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Tourism and Enterprise Development who is also the County Executive Committee Member for Social Services and Talent Management Ramadhani Masudi Bungale on behalf of Governor Mvurya officially opened Asante Capital EPZ at Mvindeni in Ukunda, a new investment in the county.

The Asante Capital Export Processing Zone is a factory venturing in veneer and briquettes production.         

Bungale reiterated that apart from being an attractive tourist destination, Kwale County is also among the best places in Kenya to invest. 

“Kwale is very ready for investments, and the County Government has put in place policies and legislations that attract investors.” He said.

He also commended the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) for identifying the key sectors that are potential for economic growth.

However he urged the residents of Kwale County especially the youth and women to make use of the opportunity provided by Asante Capital EPZ as a motivation to engage in commercial tree planting.

“When we give Asante Capital EPZ enough raw materials, they will definitely put up a value addition plant here in Kwale, and in turn many people will benefit from this investment.” He added.  

On her side, Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Environment and Natural Resources Management Saumu Beja Mahaja who commended Asante Capital EPZ for their investment urged Kwale County residents to conserve their environment by planting more trees in their lands.

“Trees are life, and are a good source of income. So let plant them.” Saumu stated.    

Speaking on infrastructural development in the county, the Executive Committee Member for Water Services, Roads and Public Works Hemed Mwabudzo assured investors that the County Government is committed to improving infrastructure systems in the entire county.

However he requested all investors in Kwale County to work hand in hand with other stakeholders and the residents to ensure that water catchment areas are preserved.

“Water is a useful resource and therefore I urge Asante Capital EPZ and other investors to work closely with respective County Departments and the Kenya Forestry Services to ensure that our water catchment areas are preserved.” Mwabudzo said.

According to Asante Capital EPZ General Manager David Okello, the factory has over 300 acres of eucalyptus plantations in Majoreni, Lunga Lunga, Mchinjirini and Majengo Mapya areas. These trees can facilitate the operations of the factory for the next five years.

“Over 90 percent of our employees are locals from Kwale County.” Okello further explained.

Another investment project thet was recently started in Kwale County is a 90 million Kenyan shillings Business Park in Kinondo Ward that will encompass the construction of a cotton ginnery aimed at improving cotton farming, ginning and garment production in Kenya.

The project that funded by Base Titanium Company in partnership with the County Government of Kwale and the National Government will directly benefit the Kwale County farmers who are members of Pamba Viazi (PAVI) Cooperative.

The project is expected to be operational by February 2019.

Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Social Services and Talent Management who is also the Acting County Executive Committee Member for Tourism and Enterprise Development Ramadhan Masudi Bungale has today led the county in marking the International Day of Cooperatives at a function held at Mvindeni in Msambweni Sub County.

Addressing members of different Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies from the county who gathered to mark this year’s celebrations, Mr. Bungale said the County Government of Kwale is implementing a model to ensure all SACCOs in the county flourish.

“As a County Government, we are implementing a cooperatives model that will ensure all Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Kwale County are self-dependant,” Bungale explained.

He has further explained that the County Government of Kwale has employed Cooperative Officers in each Sub County to ensure that the cooperative movement in the county is successful.

“Very soon the County Government of Kwale will employ Cooperative Auditors who will make sure that Cooperative Societies are transparent and accountable in their management systems and book keeping,” He added.

However the CEC member challenged all active SACCOs in Kwale County to position themselves in the county government’s agenda, for them to benefit from the county’s investments plans geared at realizing the Big Four development agendas.

On his side, Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Finance Bakari Hassan Sebe who was also present at the event urged residents of Kwale County to join the cooperative movement saying that savings and credit cooperative societies are a good way of saving for future investments.

“Saving and Credit Cooperative Societies are a key driver in the growth of the national economy, and without them the Kenyan economy could not have reached where it is today,” Sebe explained.

The event begun with a procession of members drawn from various Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies at Kona Ya Musa in Ukunda to Mvindeni where the celebrations have been held.

The theme for the 2018 International Day of Cooperatives is “Sustainable Consumption and Production of Goods and Services” which creates an opportunity for cooperatives to show how they run successful businesses whilst respecting our natural environment and the resources it offers.

The International Day of Cooperative is an annual event celebrated on the first Saturday of the month of July with an aim of creating awareness on the cooperative movement and highlighting its contributions to the society.    

Kwale Deputy Governor HE Fatuma Achani earlier today graced an assessment event on children with disabilities at Kids Care Center-Mshiu in Lunga Lunga Sub County.

This assessment event was geared at gathering information on Yes We Can, a project started in December 2017 by KidsCare Kenya with an aim of improving the livelihoods of children with mental and/or physical disabilities in Lunga Lunga Sub County.

Addressing parents present at the event, Achani assured that the County Government of Kwale will continue supporting people living with disabilities in the county, and all projects aimed at benefiting them.

The Deputy Governor has also asked parents living with children with disabilities not to hide their children, but take them to special schools.

At the same time the Deputy Governor emphasized that children/people living with disabilities have equal rights as others, and they should be given the opportunity to realize their goals in life.

She has also called upon all people living with disabilities to form development groups for them to access development funds from the county and national governments.

Oh his side Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Social Services and Talent Management Mr. Ramadhan Masudi Bungale said his department is committed to working together with stakeholders in ensuring that people living with disabilities get the required support.

He has also asked the community in Kwale County to avoid stigmatizing people living with disabilities, and ensure these people get their basic human rights.

The Yes We Can Assessment event mainly focused on gathering information about the conditions of children with disabilities, and asses the cause of their disabilities and how best they can be helped in terms of psychological well-being, health, and better living conditions.

Through the Yes We Can project by KidSCare Kenya has helped over 50 children living with disabilities together with their caregivers, and is planning to expand the project to reach more children and families.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya has earlier this morning officially received two Cuban doctors who will be working in the county for the next two years. The two specialists are among 100 Cuban medics contracted to work in Kenya in an exchange programme with their Kenyan counterparts under the Kenya-Cuba Health Cooperation framework.

In his statement after welcoming the medics to Kwale County, Governor Mvurya assured them of getting full support from the County Government during their term of service in Kwale.

“As a leadership, we will give you all the support needed and we expect to work with you very closely. So you are welcome to share ideas with our specialists here in Kwale,” Mvurya explained.

At the same time the Governor expressed confidence that Kwale County will benefit a lot from the two specialists from Cuba.

“Cuba has been very successful in community health, and therefore as a government we are looking forward to learning a lot from your experiences so that we can also improve our healthcare services here in Kwale,” He stated.

On her part Kwale Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani who was also present wished the two specialists from Cuba all the best as they serve the people of Kwale County.

“I am very happy that we have received two female specialists here in Kwale, and we are hoping that by the end of their two years service our health sector will have also grown as a county,” She stated.

The two are an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) specialist who will be based in Msambweni Referral Hospital, and a Family Doctor who will be serving in one of the public hospitals in the county.

They have also expressed their sincere gratitude for getting the opportunity to work in Kenya and especially in Kwale County.

“We are very grateful and happy to stay here in Kwale and we are going to work hard and cooperate with the Kenyan specialists to improve the health services and we are going to exchange knowledge in the next two years of our stay,” said Dr. Aderana Ramirez.  

Their arrival comes at a time when the County Government of Kwale is adopting a Universal Healthcare system.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya has today approved the county’s budget for the financial year 2018/19 passed earlier this week by the County Assembly. The budget which stands at 12.2 billion Kenyan shillings is the first county’s budget under Governor Mvurya’s administration since he was re-elected into office in the August 2017 polls.

The county’s development expenditure has been allocated 7.47 billion Kenyan shillings which stands at 61.1% of the total budget, while the recurrent expenditure has been allocated 4.75 billion Kenyan shillings which translated to 38.9% of the budget. Health, education, infrastructure and water sectors which fall under the national big four agendas have been give a priority in this budget. Three billion Kenyan shillings has been set aside for health sector projects, 2 billion Kenyan shillings for the education sector, and 1.8 billion for water projects while infrastructure received 1.2 billion Kenyan shillings.

In his statement after signing the budget document in his Kwale office, Governor Mvurya stated that in implementing this year’s budget, the County Government of Kwale has also set aside funds for long term development projects that will grow the county’s economy and enhance living standards of the people.

Among the key flagship projects which the County Government Kwale has set funds for in its budget is the construction of a fruit processing plant in Shimba Hills - Kubo South (Matuga Sub County), setting up an Early Childhood Development Education College at Banga in Kinango Sub County, and the construction of a sports stadium in Kwale town.

“We also have a project to upgrade urban areas through low volume tarmacking of roads, and we have already identified key roads that will be in that program”, explained the Governor.

“This budget will be implemented in an integrated manner. So I therefore urge the people of Kwale County to participate in implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all the projects”,

Governor Mvurya also has urged all County Government Kwale officers in charge to implement the 2018/19 projects with diligence in order to ensure that all resources allocated are not misused.

A major tree planting exercise has kicked off in Kwale County targeting to plant over 53,000 trees. A total of 4,000 trees were planted at Nyalani Dam in Kinango sub-county at the onset of the programme on Monday, May 7^th. Governor Salim Mvurya will join the team on May 12^th at Mpirani Primary School, Kasemeni where he is expected to lead a team of leaders to plant hundreds of trees.

The tree planting initiative is a national drive to bring the country’s dwindling tree cover to 10 per cent.

Mr Seif Mohamed (R) planting a tree at Nyalani. / Photo: Amos Mrabu

Speaking at the Nyalani Dam, Acting County Forest Cordinator Seif Mohamed said the exercise formed part of the county strategy to conserve the eco-system and mitigate effects of adverse climate.

“This exercise is also important to the lives of the people because trees are known to improve the environment making it more habitable,” said Mr Seif. “If we have more planted forests on the open fields, we will be assured of cool and friendly climate conditions thus mitigate the dry seasons we experience annually," Mr Seif said.

Kinango Sub- county administrator Benedict Kuttoh said that Governor Mvurya fully supports the programme which will go a long way in conserving water catchment areas and drive out hunger in the county.

“The Governor will personally take part in the exercise at Mpirani Primary School in Kasemeni ward on Saturday 12th May 2018,” said Mr Kuttoh. Mr Kuttoh added, “Governor Mvurya wants the Kwale County leaders and community to join hands and grow these plants, not just plant them. We must take care and protect them in order to able to conserve all water catchment areas,” said Kuttoh. The exercise is expected to run for 6 days.

Kenya Red Cross Society Kwale branch coordinator Mr Mohammed Mwaenzi supported the tree planting program saying it will reduce the effects of global warming caused by excessive carbon emissions. Mr Mwaenzi also called upon residents of Kwale County to take care of the trees planted in the exercise.

"I urge you all to be part of this initiative, and be on the forefront of protecting the trees," he said.

Nyalani community members during the planting trees exercise. / Photo Amos Mrabu.

At Nyalani Dam, 4,000 Mibambakofi (Afzelia equisetifolia) trees were planted.

In the course of the six days, the sub counties of Lunga Lunga, Matuga and Msambweni will also undertake the exercise. In Lunga Lunga, the trees will be planted at Kiruku Hill and Dzombo Forest, in Msambweni sub-county, trees will be planted at Lake Mwangaraba and River Mkurumudzi while in Matuga sub-county the exercise will take place at Tsaka Vuga and Vinuni damp site.

Each sub-county is targeting to plant approximately 22,500 trees.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani today distributed beef cattle breeds in Taru, MacKinnon Road Ward and meat goats breeds in Samburu/Chengoni Ward in a countywide agricultural empowerment drive aimed at ensuring food security.

Each ward is set to receive 20 bulls, and a total of 650 goats in all the four Kwale Sub Counties (Kinango, Lunga Lunga, Msambweni and Matuga), which are to be crossed with the local breeds to boost their productivity.

During the meeting at Taru and Samburu-Chengoni, the Governor warned beneficiaries against selling the cattle and goats breeds, saying such a move is counter-productive and will roll back the gains already made by the County government.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya talking to farmers in Taru, MacKinnon Road Ward. / Photo: Kwale GPS

“I want to put on notice those beneficiaries who are already looking for market to sell these cattle and goats breeds. Please take good care of these animals for posterity. When crossed, the new generation of animals will be better and will give you higher market returns,” said Governor Mvurya.

His sentiments were echoed by Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani, who urged those who had benefited from the cattle breeds initiative to help in ‘cross-breeding’ them with their neighbors.

“These cattle and goats breeds are not enough for everyone but what would you really lose if your bull crossed with the herd of your neighbor?,” quipped the Deputy Governor.

At the same time the Governor urged residents to join hands and put their political differences to rest, saying much will be achieved when the people of Kwale work towards a common goal.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta and honorable Raila Odinga came together to unite Kenyans for the sake of prosperity for the nation. Let us also come together by putting our political affiliations aside to develop this great county of Kwale,” he said.

Source: Kwale GPS