Issue 18 - April, 2019 Next Issue - May, 2019
Kenya ‘s
BIG 6
LAMU COAL PLANT
DIANI
MOMBASA
KILIFI
WATAMU
MALINDI
LAMU
WELCOME, KARIBU xplore the magical coastline of Kenya with a little help from Coastal Guide. Coastal Guide is a monthly magazine publication that is available at various outlets along Kenya’s coastline.
E
3. Kenya’s Big 6
7. Lamu Yoga Festival
16. Distant Relatives Eco Lodge
22. Lamu Coal Plant
It is designed as a guidebook, providing useful information and services to enhance your stay and make it easier for you to find the things you need. A new issue is released on the 15th of each month and can be found in Diani, Mombasa, Kilifi, Watamu, Malindi and Lamu. Each issue of Coastal Guide also reports on social and conservation initiatives in Kenya. Any support you can offer these initiatives will go a long way towards retaining the beauty and unique charm that makes Kenya one of the best destinations in the world.
Please remember when visiting Kenya’s beautiful beaches to “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time” We hope you will find this guidebook useful during your stay. Contact us on 077 505 9069 or visit our website www.coastalfootprints.co.ke for more information about Coastal Guide.
Cover Photo: Steve Capone Content Contributor: Brigite Marques, Tamara Britten, Anita Awino & Kelly - Marie Martin
Nyali Golf & Country Club
Supermarket Coastal Footprints | 01
DIANI
Kenya Nights Full Moon Party April 19th-21st 2019
TANDAWAZI FESTIVAL KENYA
Diani Beach Club.
April 18th-21st 2019 The thinking behind the festival is that when a community comes together to work for the greater good of their purpose, there are NO LIMITS to how powerful the experience and end result can be.
Party People, we know you've been waiting for the next exciting turn up on the beach. Diani Beach Club and Kenya Nights return to the beautiful shores of the Indian Ocean to bring you the ultimate Full Moon Beach Party! For those of you who were there in 2018, we gave you Major Lazer. This time we will host two nights packed with musical goodies. Get your swimsuits, sun cream and sunglasses packed and head to the ultimate beach club.
MOMBASA
April 21st, 2019 @ 8AM.
To register your team call 0706 169 111 piri@piripiries.com
Taking place at Azura Lounge & Restaurant, overlooking the Indian Ocean.
KILIFI
BARAKA THE PRINCE April 19, 2019 DE COFFEE PUB - KILIFI Music BLENDS by DJ FIVESTAR & DJ QUEEN THE STARGAL Entry Fee: Ksh 200 VIP: Ksh 500
PIRI PIRIE’S A scavenger hunt with a difference: Ksh 1,000 per Entry Maximum 6 people per team Easter Lunch Special: Ksh 1,500 per plate Live Music by Reggee Fun for the whole Family! Prizes to be won
MOMBASA ON THE GO April 19, 2019 Day Dreams: The Ultimate Chilled Day Party
SAFARI YA SANAA ART EXPO Thursday 18th April, 2019 at 09:00 am to Sunday 21st April, 2019 at 07:00 pm Alliance Française de Mombasa, P.O. BOX 99544-80107 Moyne Drive, Nyali., Mombasa, Kenya. Homegrown artists from @Mytribeisart present their original artistic creations.
FEEL THE SAND April 30 - 5th May Ticket price is Ksh 16,800 Sun n’ Sand Hotel - Kilifi A district conference and assembly for Rotaractors.
KENYA'S BIG 6 THE BIGGEST OF THEM ALL!
I
t's 22nd of February, almost noon when the aerial radio suddenly comes to life on board the whale shark expedition boat off Diani Beach. WE HAVE A WHALE SHARK!
Volker Bassen, seasoned captain, pilot and deep sea diver who also happens to have a passion for whale sharks shouts on top of his voice “Everybody in” to some of the guys snorkelling next to the boat admiring turtles. The radio suddenly crackles again, “we've got 2 sharks, I repeat “We've now got 3 sharks!” As soon as everybody is in captain Bassen guns the engines, within seconds we are cruising at 60km/hr towards the spot where the airplane located the sharks. “It's far, we'll need about 20 minutes to get to where they are so get ready to jump” Bassen shouts on top of his voice in order to overcome the roar of the twin 200Hp engines as we almost fly along the Kenyan coastline. After about 10 minutes the radio comes to life again. “We see you, about another 5 kilometres” we hear the pilot saying, the boat suddenly turning over so slightly, almost automatically, a smooth, wellrehearsed manoeuvre. After all, Bassen and his team have successfully been finding whale sharks like this for the past 2 decades.
Author: Valdemar Örn
“We now have 6 whale sharks, I repeat “We now have 6 whale sharks, 2 are huge, at least 10 meters in length!” Bassen grabs the radio, “Ok, guide me to the biggest one!” He shouts.
What I see is hard to describe, it's certainly the most impressive sight I have ever seen, no doubt about that! It will forever be burnt into my memory. I now know why people who have done it call it a wildlife experience of a lifetime.
Soon we can see a small dot in the sky, it's the spotter plane circling the area where the sharks are. “Everybody ready? 5 minutes to contact” Bassen shouts. “It's at your one hundred meters” The boat suddenly slows down while turning. “It is heading straight ahead of the boat guys, I'll position us in front of him, jump when I tell you to”, Bassen says in a calming voice.
As in a movie I see the massive shark gliding towards me with Steve Capone, underwater cameraman and whale shark researcher already swimming by its side. Something isn't right, Capone looks like a toy figurine next to this giant, and I suddenly realize how massive this leviathan is!
As for me, I'm about to pee in my pants! Not so much because of fear as of excitement. Well, maybe both, I am about to swim with the world biggest fish, and a shark on top of that! “He is coming right towards the centre of the boat, about 15 meters now, can you see him?” I turn around, suddenly a massive dorsal fin breaks the surface and I see a head as wide as a bus, the shark is coming straight towards us as we sit there in anticipation. “JUMP” Volker shouts! I hesitate, have I gone mad?! Am I completely out of my mind?! That thing looks like it could swallow not only me, it's so big it could probably swallow the whole fricking boat if it wanted to! I feel a hand on my shoulder gently squeezing it; “its okay buddy, don't worry, he is just a baby, he won't bite, try to remember that” says Bassen while gently pushing me into the water.
As the whale shark slowly swims past me with Steve Capone in tow I suddenly remembered to take a breath again. It was as being thrown back 200 million years in time when the dinosaurs roamed our planet. In fact, the whale shark roamed our oceans 200 million years before the dinosaurs, this is probably the closest Jurassic Park experience one can get. It's absolutely without comparison the best thing I've ever done. In total we had 8 whale sharks that day. I can't wait to do it again, it's addictive.
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Coastal island brings together Yogis from around the world
T
his year saw the 6th edition of a celebration of yoga held on 18th-24th March. With the heart of the festival at the idyllic Shela in Lamu, the week offers an unbeatable opportunity to experience a variety of yoga styles here in Kenya, guided by teachers from all four corners of the world. These talented individuals congregate in this magical location once a year to spread what both yoga and this beautiful coastal region have to offer. The history and culture of Lamu compliment the multi-layered nature of yoga itself. The festival also supports organisations such as the African Yoga Project (AYP) offering free classes to local communities; sanitary pad making for Lamu Girls Secondary School and Safari Doctors to name a few. A striking factor of the festival is the strong community atmosphere. After all, yoga comes from the Sanskrit word of 'yog', meaning 'one' and the event definitely embodies this unity. The organiser, Monika Fauth, after falling in love with the island has since dedicated her time creating a platform to share yoga, wellness and the magic of Lamu. Over the years the festival has grown in popularity and it is obvious why. The event is extremely well organised and the location means every activity is just a short journey away. Whether that journey is a tranquil stroll along the beach, an exploration of the maze-like streets of Lamu - getting lost amongst the donkeys is all part of the adventure - or a small boat trip across to Manda or Lamu town with one of the many shuttle boats arranged by the festival. This year's opening began with a sunset coastal walk to the fort at the idyllic tip of Shela beach. The sense of unity could be felt as over 300 participants walked together with the beat of local Anidan drums. This was followed by an introduction to the 32 teachers this year along with a sunset salutation in unison. The last rays of sunshine saw our soul-felt intentions blowing in the wind as they were tied to string framing the iconic Lamu sand dunes. With a wealth of partnerships, the yoga activities offered ranged from the more traditional Hatha, Pranayama and Meditation to Vinyasa, Kundalini, and Yin as well as more modern Acro, Aerial and SUP and even yoga fusions with African dances. With over 30 activities a day, the challenge was not finding a style of activity to suit you but experiencing as much as possible within the festival! Yoga not only brings physical health benefits but a deeper awareness, releasing emotional stresses and bringing harmony between our body and the world around us. With its tranquil nature, history and mostly untouched natural beauty, Lamu is the perfect place for a yoga filled de-stress week. The event is a fantastic edition in harmony with local culture bringing people together to appreciate and preserve this gem on our north coast. Long may the festival last for people to enjoy the fruits that Lamu and yoga offer hand in hand. Article & Photos by: Brigite Marques
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Facts About
Kenya Kenya, an East African nation,
Kenya was a colony of the United Kingdom from 1920 until 1963. Since its independence, it has been a republic, with a president, a national assembly, called the Bunge, and a legal system. Each year on 12 December, the country celebrates its independence day – or Jamhuri Day – with parades, dancing, political speeches and feasts!
Mount Kenya is 17,057 feet high. It is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro. It has three peaks, The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian (5,199 metres (17,057 ft), Nelion (5,188 metres (17,021 ft) and Point Lenana (4,985 metres (16,355 ft). An area of 276 square miles around the mountain’s centre is designated as a National Park, as well as a World Heritage site.
spans more than 224,000 sq. miles (582,000 sq. Km), it is situated on the equator. Kenya is blessed with a wide range of topographical features - from the low plains found along the coast,
There are 42 Kenya tribes, each contributing to the country's diverse and rich culture and heritage. The tribes of Kenya are known for their unique history, culture, values, lifestyle, language, religion, food and more. The indigenous tribes of Kenya fall into three ethnic groups, namely: the Bantus, the Cushites and the Nilotes.
bisected by the Great Rift Valley, to the fertile plateau in the west. The Great Rift Valley is home to a number of lakes, arid and rugged landscapes, and volcanic landforms with areas of active hot springs and geothermal activity. The highland areas of Central Kenya provide fertile ground
Agriculture is the main economic activity in the country. Most citizens are involved in agriculture for subsistence, local sale and export. Kenya exports coffee, tea, fruits and flowers. There are ranches and large farms in most parts of the Great Rift Valley where the weather is favourable for horticultural produce, tea farms and maize production. The central region has large coffee and tea plantations while the coast of Kenya is also an agricultural hub. Other agricultural activities are animal husbandry and beekeeping.
for farming, making Kenya one of the most agriculturally productive countries in Africa. The north of Kenya, however, is largely desert land scattered with thorn bushes. This contrasts greatly with the Kenyan coast, which features many beaches, coral reefs, creeks and coral islands. The coastal strip is largely flat, giving rise to the
Kenya's climate is warm all year round, with plenty of sunshine, cools nights and mornings. But while most parts of Kenya exhibit more or less the same climatic conditions, when travelling across different parts of Kenya, you will experience varying weather patterns due to Kenya's differing topographical dimensions. In most parts of the country, the coolest season falls between July and August with temperatures dropping to the low 10's(°C). In as much as Kenya does not have summer in particular, the months between February and March are known to be the hottest season with temperatures going as high as 32°C.
rolling Taita hills. KENYA BASIC INFORMATION Population : 43,500,000 Capital : Nairobi Language : Swahili/English Currency : Shilling
French Onion Soup
Recipe serves 4 to 6 Total time 50 Minutes
Try this great French onion soup recipe. It pairs perfectly with French bread and is a comforting
Prep time : 20 min Cook time: 30 min
crowd-pleaser served as either an entrée or a starter.
INGREDIENTS 2 Tbsp of butter 2 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 tsp. fresh thyme, crushed 5 ½ cups water 2 Beef Cubes 2 Tbsp. dry sherry (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook onions,
stirring frequently, until golden, about 15 minutes. 2. Stir in garlic and thyme and cook, stirring constantly, until onions are
browned and very tender, about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in water and beef cubes, scraping up brown bits from bottom of
the saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until stock is melted.
6 slices French bread
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered 8 minutes. Stir in sherry.
1½ cups shredded Swiss cheese
5. Arrange 6 broiler-proof bowls in a baking pan. 6. Evenly ladle soup into bowls, then top with bread and cheese. Broil 1
minute or until cheese is melted.
ENJOY COOKING? OWN A RESTAURANT? Feature your business & recipe at a discounted monthly rate Contact : 0775 059 069 Email: info@coastalfootprints.co.ke
Anne Wawira Njiru
HOMEGROWN KENYA
E
ducation should be a necessity for everyone and in an ideal world, should be available for all. It allows individuals to pursue their dreams, provides them opportunities which would not be available otherwise. This, in turn, secures not only the individual but their family and many times a community's future, helping push people out of poverty and giving them the tools and knowledge to flourish. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. However, the reality for many places in Kenya, education, although free, is still difficult to attain. Students need to be able to afford the necessary books, uniform and in some cases, communities have to pay the salary for additional teachers. This often leads to students missing school, instead, working and helping their families back at home. There is also another challenge that many government-funded schools face. How to feed all their students? It has been proven repeatedly that hunger reduces children's ability to learn. Hungry children are less able to concentrate and this has led to lower exam scores, attention problems, and naughty behavior. This does not only disrupt the individuals learning but can also be disruptive for a whole class. Wawira Njiri, a graduate in Nutrition Science from the University of South Australia, witnessed daily in her home town, Ruiru, children missing school or leaving halfway through the day due to hunger. Wawira, knowing this would impact their opportunities in later life, went about finding a solution. Although the government abolished school fees in 2003, school attendance was still low amongst the poorest children. To understand why this was, Wawira spoke to teachers, which highlighted food being the biggest challenge, with some children leaving at lunchtime to work for money and in some circumstances steal. These same children were most likely to drop out or fail to move on to the next level. Wawira decided to take action and help these particular students stay in school. With the assistance of her family and friends, Wawira designed a menu which considered seasonal foods and was also balanced and nutritious. It was important that the meal was balanced, as this would likely be the only meal many of the students would eat all day. Wawira was able to construct a kitchen about 5 minutes from the targeted school. The project was entirely self-funded and therefore had to start small. This meant that only the neediest children could participate.
Through a process of applications, consultations with teachers and school administrators, they were able to identify 25 children, to begin with. Within one year the project impact was clearly evident. Students in the programme were now attending school regularly and for the whole day. Even more amazing was that their exam marks had improved and teachers were reporting that their behaviour in the classroom had also improved. In 2011, Wawira hosted a Kenyan themed meal amongst her university friends to raise funds for her project. The night was a success, raising enough funds for her to start Food 4 Education. This not-for-profit now feeds over 1,200 students daily and they aim to increase this number to 1 million children by 2025. Furthermore, Wawira has also begun a mentorship program, pairing children with local university students, helping them with the university application process and general support. Wawira's work is not only incredibly needed but admirable and has been recognized internationally. In 2018, Wawira won the Global Citizen Prize for Youth Leadership at the Global Citizen Festival. She has also been listed in the top 40 under 40 women in Kenya in 2018. Furthermore, she has been recognized as a Nutrition champion and a hunger-free ambassador. Wawira is the first in her family to have gone to university and is now studying for her Master's in Public Health in Nairobi. Her ultimate vision is to be able to create a model that can be adopted by the Kenyan Government for all schools. Her recent global citizen award also provided her with additional funds and support which will help her achieve the charities goals. Food 4 Education also raises funds through such schemes as Double Portion, whereby Food 4 Education provides catering services to offices, these profits help run the project. She still has a long way to go to achieve her goals and regularly receives calls from nearby schools who desperately need the school feeding programme. However, the programmes success so far and Wawira's drive will certainly get Food 4 Education there! For further information on Food 4 Education, please visit https://food4education.org Author: Kelly - Marie Martin
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DISTANT RELATIVES ECO LODGE
D
istant Relatives is an eco-lodge and backpackers found in the coastal town of Kilifi, Kenya. The project started in 2010, by a group of friends travelling around Africa. Upon their first visit, the group, in particular, Tom and Romain, fell in love with Kilifi. Its nature, hospitality and that feeling of home. Both wanted to bring this to more people and went about starting Distant Relatives, named because of their love in bringing people together from all around the world. Nine years on and Distant Relatives is one of the most popular eco-lodges in Kenya. It has grown beyond the owner's expectations and is only getting better. So what makes Distant Relatives stand out? Well, the nature surrounding the lodge is certainly a huge factor. Vervet monkeys being regular guests, jumping along the roofs and bouncing from trees to buildings, and if you give them a chance they may even 'steal' your food. There are numerous of chameleons, although they may be hard to spot to the untrained eye. There are also numerous endemic and native bird species and there is, of course, Mowgly. Distant Relatives lovely resident dog, who can be just a wild as the monkeys in the trees!
Author: Kelly Marie - Martin For example, one day it may be difficult to spot but the following day the water could be glowing! There are some nights that there is so much, you can use it almost like body paint! Furthermore, it is almost impossible to photograph or to film unless you have high-end equipment, which just means you really do need to visit for the experience, making it even more special. There are also another natural phenomenon down at the eco-lodges private beach, bioluminescent plankton. Romain, one of the owners, and also a marine biologist, explains how this bioluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction in phytoplankton but can also happen in zooplankton. The plankton itself doesn't glow in the dark. Instead, they squirt globs of glowing chemicals into the water. Romain goes on to explain that whilst we know that much, scientists do not entirely agree on the reason for this. It is hard to predict when the phenomenon will be the strongest – while full darkness (no moon visible in the sky) helps see the bioluminescence, there is other factors which are not yet understood.
Distant Relatives has grown to be one of the most popular lodges along the coast, yet, it has continued to preserve its charm and uniqueness, and continues to work with the community and surrounding area. They employ 35 staff members, many of whom have been with them since day 1. They also support several organisations. This includes Talanta Kilifonia, a local initiative which provides talented youths in Kilifi county with support and mentorship within the arts industry; Moving The Goalposts, a sports development initiative focusing on young women. They also support the Kilifi Gold Triathlon, which raises funds for a charity each year, and the list goes on.
They also support several local businesses within the area, such as tour guides, local artisans and captains. On top of this, Distant Relatives has a small tree nursery. Although they have a variety of plants, they try and mainly keep 'mother' plants, plants that reproduce through their root systems, as these particular species help prevent erosion. These are often planted throughout the property but are also donated to groups who may be starting a new project or people who have recently moved to the area. Romain explains that the nursery also has a lot of Mbamba Kofi, an indigenous mahogany tree, which they give to anyone who wants them, recently donating hundreds to Greenworld Kenya. But wait there is more, Distant Relatives has yet more to offer, with live music events regularly occurring, they also have one of the most popular new year parties in Kenya. Starting in 2012 with 300 guests, the event has since exploded, with 3000 people expected for the 2020 New Year celebrations. It certainly won't be possible to host this at their original venue, which was the beach volleyball court! To cater for such large numbers and to maintain the event’s charm, the owners have set up a new project called Beneath the Baobabs. This is a beautiful 25-acre property which has been developed to host a variety of events, holding up to 5,000 people. This will be the new location for Kilifi's New Year party, but will also hold several events throughout the year, as well as being available for hire to private/corporate parties, school camps, and conferences. Romain explains that they try to welcome event organisers with a similar conscious mind frame, “our objective is to attract as many sustainably minded people to Kilifi to make Kilifi the Green Heart of Kenya!”.
So what should you expect when staying at Distant Relatives? Well part from both a friendly and knowledgeable team, the lodge offers a variety of accommodation, from camping, dormitories through to private rooms. A cozy bar and restaurant where you can order fresh fish and other yummy treats at affordable prices. A swimming pool, for guests to enjoy, private access to a beautiful beach, where you can observe the bioluminescence on most days. You will also notice that they use ecofriendly waterless toilets, and you can shower in their outdoor bamboo showers! Local live music occurs at least twice a month and there are planned activities every day, including yoga, volleyball, beach clean ups, sunset drinks, village tours and more! The perfect retreat, that caters for all.
So where do Distant Relatives see themselves in the next few years? Well, although the owners toyed with the idea of expanding outside of Kilifi, they decided to stay put and focus on growing and improving Distant Relatives in Kilifi. They want to continue improving their accommodation, atmosphere and food, so that it is both affordable and great! The place has surpassed way beyond Romain and Toms expectations, Romain explains that when they both started it was all rather spontaneous and scary. Neither had any hospitality or business experience and decided it was probably best to just jump straight into it. It has not come without its challenges, which have come in all shapes and sizes, however in the end they pulled through, putting this down to Kenya being “like a big family, especially Kilifi, so there's always someone to help within reach if you're out of your depth” So make room in your travel plans to visit Distant Relatives, maybe for a peaceful holiday, or to enjoy their scrumptious food and drink or go and enjoy some live music, upcoming events include; 19th AprilAfrosimba Band & Katoi Wa Tabaka; 20th AprilDrazen & Donaccia; 10th May- DJ Heartical & Uwe Banton; 17th May - Skaface, C-Wyne, Blessed San, Kvan & Ziggy; 14th June - DJ Vadim. Check out Distant Relatives on http://www.kili backpackers.com. If you're interested in seedlings, just email them at of ce@kili backpackers.com. And finally, check out their new project, Beneath the Baobabs on www.beneaththebaobabs.com.
Photo:Yetu Guide
M
ombasa is a lovely city located along the Kenyan coast, famed for its scenic sandy beaches, beautiful beach resorts as well as its significant role in the world's history of long-distance trade. Having been passed from the hands of one mighty nation to another, such as the Portuguese who built the famous Fort Jesus, to the Arabs who overthrew the Portuguese and took over the fort. Finally, to the British who docked at the Kenyan coast in the 1800s and colonized Kenya up until 1963, it is safe to say that Mombasa is a vibrant blend of exciting cultures and experiences, ripe for exploration by the curious tourists in search of adventure as well as the historical enthusiast looking for information about the old days in Africa. Owing to such a rich culture and so many sights to see around the town, the best way to capture it all in just a few hours is through the Mombasa sightseeing bus. This bus service is offered by PROUL Limited and was launched in collaboration with the Mombasa County Government under the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Investment. It was inaugurated on the 9th of October 2018.
Photo: Mombasa Sight Seeing A magnificent sight to behold, the Mombasa sightseeing bus has the capacity to accommodate 64 people on board. It is a luxury double-decker bus with a yellow open sunroof, its body covered by the distinct colors of the Kenyan flag; red, green, white and black.
So, what does the tour include, you ask? This luxury ride takes tourists on a 4-hour educational and historical tour of Mombasa town. With two trips per day, the first one starting at 9 am in the morning followed by a second trip from 2 pm in the afternoon, from Monday to Saturday every week.
The bus takes off in Nyali, and proceeds to the island where the tourists are taken through the city center, the elephant tusks at Moi Avenue, the old spice market popularly known as “marikiti” through to old town where there is an amazing view of old Arabic inspired architecture as well as a vivid representation of the Swahili culture. The reputable Fort Jesus, Mama Ngina drive, the ferry, all the way to the reclaimed quarry turned animal conservancy known as Haller park which hosts the most beautiful variety of wild animals in a man-made ecosystem. A sure sight for sore eyes. The bus service is available to residents of East Africa including citizens of Kenya at a fee of Ksh. 1500 per person and Ksh. 3000 or 30USD for non-residents. Tourists are advised to book at least a day in advance to secure their seat. Customized tours and discounted rates are available to corporates and groups. PROUL Limited is located on the 2nd floor at Amal Plaza along links road Nyali off old Malindi road. For reservation, reach them on; email: info@mombasasightseeing.com or call 0753-503-020 or 0736-926-010. Author: Anita Awino.
Coastal Properties FOR RENT & FOR SALE
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YOU CAN HELP US TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY BY EDUCATING GIRLS. €1 OR KSHS 100 WILL PAY FOR ONE BRICK IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KENYA KESHO SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. €220 OR KSHS 25,000 WILL PAY FOR ONE GIRL FOR ONE YEAR AT THE KENYA KESHO SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. M-pesa Paybill No: 929010 Paypal : help@kenyakesho.org
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LAMU COAL PLANT DeCOALanise Lamu Author: Tamara Britten
C
limate change is no longer a myth. It is here with us so we cannot turn a blind eye to it. Green is the way to go.' So said President Kenyatta at a meeting with Mr Laurent Fabius, Chairman of the Group of Experts on the Global Pact for the Environment in Paris last November. However, the Government of Kenya's plan to build a coal plant in Lamu belies this statement. According to the Environmental Health and Engineering Inc of the USA: Hazardous air pollutants emitted to the atmosphere by coal-ďŹ red power plants cause a wide range of adverse health effects including damage to eyes, skin, and breathing passages; negative effects on the kidneys, lungs, and nervous system; increasing the risk of cancer; impairment of neurological function and ability to learn; and pulmonary and cardiovascular disease.
While these effects are most notable in the close vicinity of the coal plant, the pollution caused to the environment spreads far beyond the locality of the plant; mercury leaches into the rainfall leading to acidiďŹ cation of the environment, bioaccumulation of toxic metals and the contamination of rivers, lakes and oceans.
Lamu Coal Power Stations is a proposed coal- ired thermal power station to be built on about 976 acres in Kwasasi, Lamu. It will produce 981.5 MW of electricity, which is about 40% of Kenya's electricity demand.
Save Lamu, established in 2011, opposes any project that harms the environment. Their many projects include informing local communities about their rights, land issues, environmental programmes, conservation activities and tree planting. Co-founder and Secretary, Walid Ahmed, says, 'This project is going to destroy our marine life, health, economy, livelihoods, and the environment. This is a problem not only for the Lamu community. The environmental damage will affect everyone.'
Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is believed to be the longest inhabited town on the coast of East Africa. The archipelago has always been a fusion of peoples; indigenous communities include the Bajum, Swahili, Sanye, Boni and Orma. Add to these the Bantu groups who migrated to the area including the Pokomo, Giriama and other Mijikenda sub-tribes. Multicultural even before the arrival of the trading ships, the islands became truly cosmopolitan during the time of the trade routes.
Kenya is Africa's leading country in geothermal power production, and ninth in the world. With its affable weather, the country also has multiple winds, hydro and solar power projects that provide rising amounts of energy. At a time when countries around the world are turning to green and renewable energies, and Kenya itself has made huge progress in reducing its impact on the environment with its plastic bag ban, it's a huge contradiction to be building a coal plant – especially in Lamu, a cluster of islands that doesn't need the energy. Ustadh Mahmoud, of Lamu, says, 'We're a small population. There are only around 100,000 people here. We don't need this power. The power will benefit other parts of the country while we only get the harm.'
While local legend has it that Chinese ships visited over a thousand years ago, and Chinese artifacts including Ming porcelain have been found at several locations, it's hard to put a date to their arrival. A persistent tale tells of a ship – one of the fleets of famed explorer Zheng He – being shipwrecked in a storm; the few survivors swam to Pate Island where they remained and intermarried, thus explaining the fair skin of many of the people of Pate. The Chinese are so convinced by this tale that in 2005, the 600th anniversary of Zheng He’s first voyage around the Indian Ocean, they awarded a scholarship to a girl from Pate to study in China, believing her to be a descendant of one of the sailors.
In 2015, about 23% of Kenya's 45 million people had access to electricity and only 4% in remote rural areas. Since these areas are off grid, centralised projects like coal plants will not alleviate this. Off-grid and mini-grid technologies like solar systems and community renewable energy can cost-effectively generate power where it's needed and can be installed immediately rather than waiting for grid extensions.
The arrival of Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama in 1498 heralded a time of war, when rival bands from Turkey, Pemba and elsewhere attempted to seize control. When the Omanis finally ousted them in 1652 Lamu flourished, becoming a centre of poetry and learning, arts and architecture. Many of the striking mosques, houses, courtyards and alleyways remain from this time, despite the upheavals of the 19th century when the island was once again brawled over by the Zanzibaris, Germans and British.
Lamu's economy is largely based on tourism, ishing and farming. On top of the devastating health and environmental issues, construction of the coal plant would have a profound impact on Lamu's economy and damage these three industries irreparably.
On Tuesday 2nd April 2019, the Lamu County Bio-cultural Community Protocol was launched: a written record of this fascinating island's history, culture and traditions. Two Community Based Organisations, Lamu Environmental and Protection and Save Lamu, recorded, documented and consolidated information from over 46 villages all over Lamu County. Fearing that the coal plant will destroy the island and annihilate centuries of history, community volunteers came together to tell their stories and create this document. In the words of Walid, 'We made this tool because we want to preserve our heritage. It's a record for the coming generation that there was a unique civilisation here.'
In the News KWS urges fisherman to Kenyan teacher wins the practice sustainable fishing 2019 global teacher prize on World Wildlife Day
Sea wall to be completed around Fort Jesus museum
Kenyan Teacher, Peter Tabichi won the
Global Teacher Prize in March along with KSH.100 million prize money. Mr Tabichi advised he will give most of the money to the education sector, explaining that his students and the community deserve the win as much as he does. Source: www.citizentv.co.ke. Kenya Wildlife Service officials during a
The national government has released funds
speech on World Wildlife Day urged
to complete the construction of a seawall
stakeholders to help protect marine
around Fort Jesus Museum, a world heritage
species, advising that illegal fishing
site in Mombasa. The wall is urgently
activities are threatening marine
needed to protect the site from further
wildlife. He urged fisherman to work
erosion which would cause the site to sink
with KWS to sensitize themselves on
into the ocean.
best practices. Officials also advised
Source: www.standardmedia.co.ke
that anyone living within the marine protected area will be evicted. Source: www.standardmedia.co.ke
Earthquake strikes Kenya Lamu island holds it sixth yoga festival
5,000 public schools to receive safe drinking water by end of 2019
Lamu Island held its sixth yoga festival in March. The one-week festival received nearly 400 participants from several countries including Australia, India, UK,
Impact Water and National Bank have
South Africa, USA, Canada and Japan. The
partnered together to provide safe
festival had over 25 yoga teachers and 150
drinking water to public schools in
yoga classes, along with meditation sessions and workshops. The festival surpassed
Kenya. Impact Water currently supplies safe drinking water to over 4,000 schools. With this new partnership, they expect to cover an additional 7,000 public schools by the end of 2019. Source: www.kbc.co.ke
A light earthquake occurred in several
organisers expectations.
Kenyan counties on the 24th March.
Source: www.standardmedia.co.ke
Another earthquake occurred in Spain at the same time. The earthquake was felt in Nairobi and coastal regions. Coastal regions were also warned of a possible tsunami shortly after the earthquake. Power cuts were reported in several counties shortly after the tremors. Source: www.theeastafrican.co.ke
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INSURANCE SERVICES Victor O. Maura For all your Insurance needs General, mechanical, travel +254 723 972 627 +254 735 889 779 vikkmaura@gmail.com
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INTERIOR DECOR Gallery Mashaallah Furnishings for Persian Carpets + Coastal Furnitures + Antiques. Opp. Fort Jesus, Old Town +254 723 350 010
ENTERTAINMENT Homemade Ice cream & Movie World zippyike@gmail.com +254 721 759 953
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PHOTOGRAPHY / FILMING SERVICES Hassan Salam +254 721 580 851 +254 725 200 205 eightechdiani@gmail.com
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MOMBASA TAXI SERVICES
AIRLINES
Remy Taxi Driver +254 721 967 777
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SAX +254 725 305 305
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APR 2019
TIDES FOR THE KENYA COAST
DAY
1st TIDE
2nd TIDE
3rd TIDE
4th TIDE
COEFFICIENT
15 Mon
6:21 h
18:22 h
0:25 h
2.5 m
7:07 h
1.2 m
13:26 h
2.4 m
19:29 h
1.2 m
73
high
16 Tue
6:21 h
18:22 h
1:47 h
2.7 m
8:09 h
0.9 m
14:24 h
2.8 m
20:31 h
0.8 m
88
high
17 Wed
6:20 h
18:21 h
2:43 h
3.0 m
8:54 h
0.6 m
15:09 h
3.2 m
21:17 h
0.5 m
100 very high
18 Thu
6:20 h
18:21 h
3:28 h
3.3 m
9:33 h
0.3 m
15:49 h
3.5 m
21:58 h
0.2 m
106 very high
19 Fri
6:20 h
18:21 h
4:08 h
3.4 m
10:09 h
0.2 m
16:25 h
3.7 m
22:37 h
-0.1 m
107 very high
20 Sat
6:20 h
18:20 h
4:46 h
3.4 m
10:44 h
0.0 m
17:01 h
3.8 m
23:13 h
-0.1 m
103 very high
21 Sun
6:20 h
18:20 h
5:22 h
3.4 m
11:18 h
0.0 m
17:36 h
3.8 m
23:49 h
0.0 m
93
very high
22 Mon
6:20 h
18:20 h
5:57 h
3.3 m
11:51 h
0.3 m
18:10 h
3.6 m
81
high
23 Tue
6:20 h
18:19 h
0:24 h
0.3 m
6:31 h
3.1 m
12:24 h
0.5 m
18:44 h
3.4 m
67
average
24 Wed
6:20 h
18:19 h
1:00 h
0.5 m
7:05 h
2.8 m
12:57 h
0.7 m
19:19 h
3.1 m
53
average
25 Thu
6:20 h
18:19 h
1:37 h
0.8 m
7:42 h
2.5 m
13:33 h
1.0 m
19:57 h
2.8 m
42
low
26 Fri
6:20 h
18:19 h
2:21 h
1.1 m
8:28 h
2.3 m
14:16 h
1.3 m
20:48 h
2.5 m
35
low
27 Sat
6:19 h
18:18 h
3:23 h
1.4 m
9:42 h
2.0 m
15:27 h
1.6 m
22:15 h
2.2 m
35
low
28 Sun
6:19 h
18:18 h
5:15 h
1.5 m
11:55 h
2.0 m
17:53 h
1.6 m
41
low
29 Mon
6:19 h
18:18 h
0:21 h
2.2 m
7:01 h
1.4 m
13:28 h
2.2 m
19:31 h
1.4 m
50
average
30 Tue
6:19 h
18:18 h
1:40 h
2.4 m
7:57 h
1.2 m
14:15 h
2.5 m
20:21 h
1.2 m
61
average
1 Wed
6:19 h
18:18 h
2:27 h
2.6 m
8:34 h
1.0 m
14:50 h
2.8 m
20:58 h
0.9 m
70
high
2 Thu
6:19 h
18:17 h
3:03 h
2.8 m
9:05 h
0.8 m
15:19 h
3.0 m
21:29 h
0.7 m
79
high
3 Fri
6:19 h
18:17 h
3:35 h
2.9 m
9:34 h
0.6 m
15:48 h
3.2 m
21:59 h
0.5 m
86
high
4 Sat
6:19 h
18:17 h
4:05 h
3.0 m
10:02 h
0.5 m
16:16 h
3.4 m
22:29 h
0.3 m
90
very high
5 Sun
6:19 h
18:17 h
4:35 h
3.1 m
10:30 h
0.4 m
16:45 h
3.5 m
23:00 h
0.2 m
91
very high
6 Mon
6:19 h
18:17 h
5:05 h
3.1 m
10:59 h
0.4 m
17:15 h
3.6 m
23:32 h
0.2 m
88
high
7 Tue
6:19 h
18:16 h
5:37 h
3.1 m
11:30 h
0.4 m
17:47 h
3.5 m
83
high
8 Wed
6:19 h
18:16 h
0:05 h
0.3 m
6:11 h
3.0 m
12:02 h
0.5 m
18:22 h
3.4 m
74
high
9 Thu
6:19 h
18:16 h
0:42 h
0.4 m
6:48 h
2.8 m
12:38 h
0.7 m
19:01 h
3.2 m
65
average
10 Fri
6:19 h
18:16 h
1:24 h
0.6 m
7:32 h
2.6 m
13:21 h
0.9 m
19:47 h
3.0 m
56
average
11 Sat
6:19 h
18:16 h
2:14 h
0.9 m
8:28 h
2.4 m
14:16 h
1.1 m
20:48 h
2.7 m
52
average
12 Sun
6:19 h
18:16 h
3:23 h
1.1 m
9:49 h
2.3 m
15:40 h
1.3 m
22:16 h
2.5 m
54
average
13 Mon
6:20 h
18:16 h
4:56 h
1.2 m
11:31 h
2.3 m
17:37 h
1.3 m
23:58 h
2.5 m
63
average
14 Tue
6:20 h
18:16 h
6:27 h
1.1 m
12:55 h
2.6 m
19:09 h
1.1 m
74
high
15 Wed
6:20 h
18:16 h
1:18 h
2.6 m
7:32 h
0.9 m
13:55 h
2.9 m
84
high
MAY 2019
20:11 h
0.8 m
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
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