July 2019 - Magazine 20

Issue 20 - July 2019

KITE SURFING IN KENYA DONGO KUNDU BYPASS DIANI

MOMBASA

KILIFI

WATAMU

MALINDI

LAMU

WELCOME, KARIBU 4. Kite Surfing in Kenya

8. The cow calender

14. Sea Turtle Festival

20. Dongo Kundu bypass

E

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.

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, Lamu and Nairobi.

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: Che Shale, Malindi Content Contributor: Brigite Marques, Tamara Britten, Kelly-Marie Martin & Ken Chelimo

Nyali Golf & Country Club

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BEATS OF HOPE TALENT SHOW

NOMAD'S LITTLE FARMER'S MARKET August 3rd, 2019 @ 11AM. Nomad at the Sands, Diani Stop by our farmer's market on the 1st Saturday of every month, 11am-1pm, and take your pick of fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, homemade pastries, jams, marmalades and more! Support local farmers!

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After years of severe training in acrobatics,cultural music,dance,music,drama etc, our mentees are now ready to show case their talents collaborating with the youth in the neighbouring community.

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KITE SURFING IN KENYA Kelly-Marie Martin Photo: Shawn Richman - The Cabanas Lamu

kite surfing first begun in the late 1970's, being the creation of two French brothers. They later patented the inflatable kite in 1984. The first commercially available inflatable kite was introduced in 1997. Since 1999 the sport has become mainstream and spread worldwide, overtaking its predecessor, windsurfing. Unlike windsurfing, kitesurfing allows participates to learn the sport relatively quickly, requiring less practice and being far easier to master. It is also a great activity to do as a family. Its rapid popularity is also likely due to the fact the sport combines many popular sports, such as windsurfing, paragliding, wakeboarding and snowboarding. Furthermore, kitesurfing as a sport has become more commercial over the years and in turn 'user friendly', with a broad range of kite surfing brands and equipment being easily accessible.

K

The creek itself is a beautiful location with extensive mangroves and a hotspot for migratory birds. Therefore, if you happen to be a birder and a kitesurfer, this place will be right up your alley.

Watamu is a small town but does have its own watersports centre, Tribe Watersports. Tribe Watersports offers a range of experiences and activities, check out their website for further information.

Tribe Watersports - www.tribe-watersports.com

Lamu

If you are looking for a less commercial experience then Lamu Island, a small coastal town north of Mombasa, is the perfect spot. This charming Arabic town has a mix of Swahili culture and an array of Arabic style buildings. This alone makes this particular location rather unique. The Cabana's Lamu is based on Kizingoni beach, the more private side of the island. The Cabanas Lamu offers its guests a combination of wellness The sport has also gained huge popularity along Kenya's coast, treatments and extreme sport experiences, this is demonstrated with several popular locations, each offering a different in their new package, Surf and Soul, a new kitesurf and yoga experience from the other, each with its own uniqueness and hub at the centre. Shawn Richman, a professional kitesurfer from charm.

Hawaii, has set roots here due to the year-round world class kitesurfing conditions. Shawn teaches both beginners and Diani advanced and caters for the specific needs of the client. The Diani is probably the most popular place along the coast for kite other charm to The Cabanas, is the fact that kitesurfers can surfing, having the highest concentration of kite schools in literally pump up and kite from their doorsteps. There is also a Kenya. Diani boasts the best beach in Africa, as voted 6 years in beach bar and beautiful accommodation available, making this a a row by World Travel Awards and in turn has a high turnover of perfect retreat for kite surfers, families and friends. Check out tourists each year. Kite surfing is certainly more commercial here their website for further information; than at other locations, therefore it is a great place to start, with Cabanas - www.thecabanaslamu.com many kite surfing schools to choose from. Diani offers a variety of Surf and Soul - www.islandsurfandsoul.com conditions from flat water lagoons to wave riding on the outer The sport has certainly increased in popularity in Kenya, bringing reef. All styles of kite surfing can be practiced, such as foiling, directional surf board and twin tip free riding. Another appeal for kitesurfers from all around the world. This has seen an increase in kite schools now opening up along the coast. Katharina van many kite surfers is the variety of accommodation availability. der Linde, manager of H2O Extreme, who has been kitesurfing Although we can't name them all, here are a few of our favorites. since 2011, has witnessed this increase, advising, that they now H2O Extreme Watersports, the centre opened in 2003 and was employ far more instructors than they had to in previous years. the first kitesurfing school along the South Coast. H2O Extreme However, although accessible for everyone who are open water are also the creators and hosts of the Kenya Kite Cup, a kite swimmers, the sport does not seem to attract many individuals surfing competition that occurs in January each year in Diani. The from the Kenyan community, with many clients being event allows kite surfers from all over the world to show off their international or from the expat community. Kathi hopes that as skills and compete for the Kenya Kite Cup Trophy. The event the sport grows, so will the Kenyan clientele, explaining that the sport is accessible for everyone, who are open water swimmers, raises funds for Local Ocean Conservation based in Watamu, that strength and fitness are secondary but not as important for raising around $3,000 in 2019 for the charity. Accommodation learning the sport. for H2O clients is available at the Kenyaway Kite Village.

One recent initiative that has come out of the surge in kiters in Other centres include Quest Kiteboarding, based at Diani Sea Kenya is the East Africa Board Riders Lodge and Diani Watersports, based at Safari Beach Alliance. (www.eastafricanboardriders.org), a charity organisation that Check out their websites for further information; began in 2017. The organisation helps raise awareness and Diani Watersport – www.dianiwatersports.com funds for local charities in East Africa that contribute to the H2O Extreme - www.h2o-extreme.com conservation of both the environments and local traditions. This Quest Kite Boarding – www.questkiteboarding.com is achieved through expeditions, events and other similar initiatives. One such expedition in 2017 saw several kitesurfers surf along the Kenyan coast from Lamu down to Zanzibar, Malindi Tanzania, raising over £10,000.

Malindi is another small town north of Mombasa and is another great spot for the more experienced kiter, although there is no But why Kenya? certified centre within Malindi, Che Shale, a kite centre, can be There are many kitesurfing hotspots in Africa, from South Africa, found near to the town. Offering funky accommodation, kite all the way up to Egypt. However, Kenya has a geographical lessons and experiences, including a wild mangrove 1-night advantage, the fact that it is so close to the equator means the kiting expedition, big game fishing and a variety of other winds have always been here, historically these winds would excursions and experiences. To add, Che Shale is also the first have been used for traders along the coast, which is where it ever kite school in Kenya, opening over 16 years ago! Check gets its name trade winds. There are two windy seasons, the first Che Shale's website out for further information; being the Kaskazi season, starting from mid-December through Che Shale - www.cheshale.com to mid-March, and the Kuzi Season, which starts from mid-June ending around mid-September. Furthermore, Kenya offers allWatamu year-around tropical water and weather temperatures, which Watamu is located between Mombasa and Malindi and also makes kitesurfing far more enjoyable. Whether you are looking provides world class kite surfing conditions. It is especially good for something to do while on the coast or are an avid kiter, Kenya offers immense variety for kiters, along with culture and for flat water spots due to exposed sandbars at low tides. Mida nature, a perfect activity and holiday for groups, families or for creek is well protected during high tides, creating excellent flat the solo thrill seekers out there! water conditions as well.

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The cow calendar educating farmers

T

he harnessing of technology to benefit small scale business owners in rural Kenya is truly inspiring to see. This is an exciting time for development in Africa with many people taking technological solutions into their own hands. With ever increasing access to the internet and further technological advancements globally, more opportunities are being opened up.

Kenyans are able to become more tech-savvy and digital solutions, even for the less tech-savvy, are becoming ever more viable. We may all have our concerns about the environment as we advance as humans and with good reason. However, technology does have a key part to play in sustainable development. Solutions can benefit local wildlife and environment. Projects most commonly seen showcasing this over the past decade are education systems for children and adults alike.

An effective example of this, on a mission to secure Africa's food production in the digital farming revolution, is iCow. With a population of 1.1 billion, 700 million farmers, mostly small scale, and 60% access to mobile phones, Africa provides a fantastic scenario for digital farming opportunities. Farmers are often small scale in Kenya, without the means for industrialised conventional production, so this allows for more sustainable and organic practices to be followed in farming.

“The biggest aspect that is missing in this sector is information”,

iCow provides valuable information to Kenyan farmers about best practices for their cattle and other livestock. Its features include the cow gestation calendar, iCow Soko livestock market, access to agricultural extension service experts and much more.

The farmers' input known dates in the cow calendar and the app sends SMS and voice prompts to farmers with information specific to each of their cows. Helping them track the fertility stages of their females, manage breeding and provide necessary nutrition during pregnancy. Before iCow, farmers were not as aware of the gestation period of their cows, how long to leave between pregnancies for female cows and the need for more diverse breeding to strengthen offsprings' genetic makeups.

Now, farmers have access to information at their fingertips; wherever they are and at any time of day. Other benefits of iCow are the distribution of knowledge to friends of farmers, spreading education within the community. In turn, this reduces risks of malnutrition and disease spreading, increases the health of livestock and ultimately the profitability of these farmers.

The effectiveness of the app was proved when it won first place at the inaugural Apps4Africa competition. From iCow research data since 2011, farmers using the app have improved their yields and incomes within as little as three months; breaking the poverty cycle and proving that small-scale farming can be a profitable business. This is surely just the start of what iCow and other technological solutions can provide to help the Kenyan population thrive.

says Su Kahumba-Stephanou; Ted Global Fellow 2010, Green Dreams Ltd Managing Director, and iCow founder. iCow initially operated under Green Dreams Ltd. as a plugin App for the Author: Brigite Marques Mkulima Farmer Information Services and Helpline but since 2018 has been an independent app.

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PALM EXOTJCA THE TALLEST BUILDING IN AFRICA – IN WATAMU? Tamara Britten Watamu is best known as a sleepy cove with perfect white sand, a secluded bay and a marine park full of exotic sea creatures. A few resorts and restaurants stand along the shore facing the striking Indian Ocean.

Arabuko Sokoke Forest enfolds the town, while Mida Creek, an inlet fringed with mangroves, flows along its south. The atmospheric Gede Ruins relax gently into the embrace of the forest, the last remaining evidence of the town's history as a port on the ancient trade routes Enter Palm Exotjca. The team plans to build a 61-floor exclusive development offering, according to its website, 'chic residential suites, premium commercial space, eclectic restaurants and a vibrant casino'. The five-star amenities also include a shopping mall, business centre, theatre, cinema, nightclub, fitness centre, wellness spa, children's play area and four swimming pools.

The building, which at 370m will be the tallest in Africa, will be 'an impressive address'. Pictures of the building rising from Watamu's idyllic shores look impressive if incongruous.

But the plan raises questions. Watamu has a population of around 14,000; its economy depends predominantly on tourism and fishing. Tourism here is low impact and high quality. Resorts are rarely full, and those that offer similar apartments have sold only a few.

Beachfront houses and plots, on sale for months, remain unsold – and this new construction isn't on the beach.

Who is to stay at Palm Exotjca?

That 61-storey skyscraper developed on a small plot in Watamu must not be built. If they want to build such a skyscraper, they should do it in Nairobi or Mombasa, not on the beach of Watamu.

- Najib Balala, Minister of Tourism.

We rang the only contact number on the website – a number in New York – but the call rang out unanswered.

Chairman Dr Giuseppe Moscarino – a veterinarian from Rome whose passions are art, architecture and Africa's extraordinary beauty – has over 20 years of management and investment experience. Managing Director Oliver Nepomuceno manages commercial and investment businesses around the world, oversees portfolio management for private clients, and heads several companies, joint ventures and public companies.

Architect Lorenzo Pagnini – with a passion for forms – holds an MA in architecture and urban planning, and has over 18 years of architectural experience.

The team plans to pump 500 million dollars into the economy and to provide local employment – but who the investors are has yet to be announced.

The project was to start in September 2018 but there was no sign of construction until last week when drilling rigs arrived, presumably for test drills to see when they'll hit bedrock; for so tall a building, the foundations will need to be around 90m deep in solid ground. Watamu, so close to the sea, has a huge depth wet sand between the surface coral and the lower bedrock.

When the project is completed, if the rooms are filled, 2,000 more tourists will flood Watamu along with the workforce needed to run such an enterprise. What will be the social and cultural impact on the local population? And how will this influx affect such a highly sensitive and globally important ecosystem, and the significant biodiversity of animals, birds and sea life that lives within it?

A building taller than the Pinnacle in Nairobi – taller than the Shard in London – does Watamu need this?

Comments from Damian Davies, General Manager of Turtle Bay Beach Club

I'm concerned about the viability of the project. There are lots of properties for sale in Watamu that aren't selling; who will buy an apartment in a tower block some distance from the beach when no one is buying beautiful beachfront properties.

There's just not the demand in Watamu.

Unless a jet flies into Malindi every week, how are they to fill the rooms?

Financially the project doesn't seem feasible. The cost of building this structure is enormous; how can they get a return on this investment? We don't want a start-up that for economic reasons isn't finished: a partially completed skyscraper. And if the building is abandoned half built – who will pay for the demolition, and how would demolition of such a building affect Watamu, the marine park, and beyond?

A building so tall needs deep foundations in solid bedrock. Such a structure has never before been built in Kenya. Five civil engineering companies in the world are qualified to take this on; none of them is listed in the plans.

I'm also concerned about the strain on our resources and the environmental impact.

Consider the amount of water and electricity that will be needed for the construction, and afterwards the operation, of such a building. We already have problems with power fluctuation – how will 60 floors of lights and lifts affect that?

Our water gets switched off regularly because of an ongoing dispute over unpaid bills between the Coastal Water Board and Kenya Power. How is our road network going to cope with the increased traffic needed to build something so big, and how are they to dispose of the waste the project will create?

Comments from Mike NortonGrifths, Chairman of Watamu Association This project shows a major flaw in the planning system. How can the Kilifi Government approve this project without consulting the local community? The Palm Exotjca team had two public meetings at which they promised locals employment and revenue. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was released on 31st May 2019 and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) gave 30 days to submit comments. However, the full ESIA report wasn't made public until 15th June, leaving only 15 days to evaluate a complex environmental assessment for a 500 million USD project.

Nine completely independent projects are buried in the ESIA, each requiring an individual ESIA and planning permission, and each needing to be completed before the main project, including environment, water, electricity, roads, waste management and housing for the workforce.

3

To make the concrete, 80,000m of water is 3 needed. We currently get 2,500m a day in Watamu South which Malindi Water and Sewage Company (MAWASCO) struggles to provide. If they install a desalination plant, they'll need to 3 produce 300m of water per day which, by reverse osmosis, requires 740m3of water, since the system is only 40% effective. That will 3 produce 500m of super saline brine per day which will go back into the water table.

Kenya Power and Lighting Corporation (KPLC) says they'll upgrade the Kakuyuni sub-station with a 23 MVA transformer and 25km of overhead line. This will cost 160 million Ksh which Palm Exotjca has to pay before they can start building. That's just for the electricity required to build. More will be required to operate the structure once it opens.

To build the Shard, a similar sized building in London, 20 tonnes of premixed cement was poured every three minutes for 38 hours continuously to form the foundation slab in a single piece, and aircon was needed to keep it cold throughout the process. How is this possible in Watamu?

SEA

TURTLE Kelly-Marie Martin n the 16th June, Diani held its first Sea Turtle Festival, organised by the Marine Education Centre and the Conservation Education Society. The festival took place on the same day as World Sea Turtle Day, an international celebration of Sea turtles worldwide. The festival was a great success, receiving almost 200 students from local schools along with residents, community groups and tourists. There was much to do, with sand sculpture competitions in the morning, scavenger hunts throughout the day, art competitions, an arts and crafts tent, food stalls and a 'turtle' egg and spoon race.

Students also performed songs and poems about turtles and sustainability. Everyone who attended were able to learn about sea turtle behavior, diet, habitats and their conservation by visiting a variety of stalls, mostly run by local conservation groups found along the coast. This was all made possible through sponsorship from nearby hotels and businesses in Diani.

O

This was demonstrated at the festival through the construction of a turtle, made from trash and fishing nets, all collected from the nearby beach and ocean. Kenyan organisations such as Kwale Plastic Plus and Plastiki Rafiki joined the festival showcasing their work and merchandise, all made from recyclable plastics. As part of the scavenger hunt, participants had to collect plastic trash from the oceans and return to the organisations stall, where they learnt about plastic pollution. At another stall, participants practiced their fishing skills, by using different fishing methods to fish out fake fish from a bucket, demonstrating how various fishing practices can impact marine wildlife. Other activities included learning about sea grass beds, an important feeding ground for green turtles and visiting the REEFolution stall, a coral restoration organisation based in Shimoni.

The day was a hustle and bustle of children, families and many others, all engaging and learning about turtles and their marine habitat. Although the day was lighthearted, there was an important take home message for all, that these often shy, ancient group of reptiles, along with their habitat, need our attention and protection. Only one in a thousand of these beautiful creatures survive to adulthood, with their main threat being us! Without any human threat, this number changes significantly, with 10% surviving.

Participants learnt about coral reefs and about how both green and hawksbill turtles use them. Local turtle organisations such as Diani Turtle Watch and Local Ocean Conservation, based in Diani and Watamu also got involved, demonstrating their vital work in protecting turtle nests and turtle populations along the coast.

If you missed this great event but would like to learn more about sea turtles and other marine wildlife, you can visit the Marine Education Centre in Diani, please contact; +254757130827 or email info@marineeducationcentre.com or info@ces-kenya.org to learn more!

Furthermore, out of the 7 sea turtle species, 5 are found in the Indian ocean, including the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle. These beautiful animals not only bring in wildlife tourism but also help maintain the ecosystem, meaning that their mere presence indicates a healthy ocean. Many of their threats can be prevented but it first starts with public awareness, which was the main objective of the festival.

Two of the biggest threats to turtles and many marine life is plastic pollution and industrial fishing.

A special thank you to the following hotels and business for their support and funding towards the event, without them the festival would not have been possible; Sands at Nomad, Diving the Crab, Safari Beach Alliance, Swahili Beach Hotel, Base Titanium, H2O Extreme, Diani Reef Hotel & Spa, Afro Chic, The Maji Boutique Hotel, Camp International, Pili Pili & Tangawizi Residents, Shimoni Reef Lodge, Logic Designs and Pirbhai Enterprises, Indesign Impressions and Graphic World.

Baked Potato Soup Recipe serves 2 Prep time: 20 Min Cooking time 20 Min INGREDIENTS

METHOD

¼ cup butter ½ cup chopped sweet onion 1 garlic clove, minced ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2 Beef Cubes 700g potatoes, mashed 2 cups milk 1/2-teaspoon pepper

1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add onion and garlic, and

cook, stirring often, 5 to 10 minutes or until golden.

2. Sprinkle onion mixture with flour, and stir until coated.

3. Stir in Royco Beef Cubes and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium heat,

stirring often.

4. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, boil and mash the potatoes.

Toppings: Cooked and crumbled bacon Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese Sliced green onions

6. Stir in the potatoes, milk, and pepper into onion mixture.

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until thickened.

7. Serve with desired toppings.

8. The Sandwich: Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 Tbsp pesto sauce; and 150

grams peeled, cooked, and chopped shrimp.

9. Spoon onto 6 toasted French bread slices.

10. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

11. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes or until browned and bubbly.

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Kenya bans single-use plastic products in parks, forests and beaches.

Excitement as World’s Only State-of-the-art Intensive Care White Giraffe in Kenya Gets Unit at Diani Beach Hospital Pregnant According to KWS, the white Giraffe is based in Ilshaqbini Hirola Sanctuary, Ijara Sub-county in Garissa is the only one of it’s kind in the world.

“Did you know that the Ishaqbini Hirola Sanctuary, located in Ijara Sub-county, Garissa County, is home to both the critically endangered Hirola Antelope &

Kenya has banned the usage of single use the only white giraffe in the world? plastic products in all protected areas as Having birthed a male calf in Feb 2017, Kenya seeks to curb plastic hazard, just two years after the country banned the use of polythene carrier bags.

Visitors to national parks, beaches,

mama giraffe is again expectant,'' the conservator tweeted Source: www.kenyans.co.ke

forests and conservation areas will not be allowed to carry disposable plates, cups straws, spoons, folks and water bottles.

Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz

Poaching threatens to wipe out green turtles in Lamu

Kenya wins accolades from France for establishing Coast Guard

Diani Beach Hospital has recently set up a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. The facility boasts of top of the range equipments and is one of the most modern units, not only in Kwale County but the whole Coast province. The ICU is managed by a qualified ICU nurse-in-charge with 5 ICU trained nurses and there is a vastly experienced Intensivist (Critical Care Physician) for management of critically ill patients. With this development at Diani Beach Hospital there is no need to rush serious patients all the way to Mombasa for treatment.

Source:www.dianibeachhospital.com

Green turtles might become extinct in

The High Court has halted plans to construct the coalpowered plant.

Lamu County if measures are not taken

The National Environmental Tribunal ruled

to conserve their current population. This

that authorities had failed to do a thorough

is according to the Pate Marine

environmental assessment.

Community Conservancy, a community-

Critics say the plant would have dire

based organisation working towards the

economic and health effects on locals.

management of coastal marine

They warn that construction of the 1,050 MW

resources.

coal-fired plant near Lamu - a 14th Century

The conservancy attributed the declining

idyllic tourist spot - would put its protected

numbers to illegal poaching of the

The French Government has commended

animal.

Kenya for establishing a Coast Guard Unit

Source: www.nation.co.ke

to police its vast Coastal maritime waters.

President Uhuru Kenyatta late last year unveiled the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) and launched into service its first offshore patrol boat christened Doria in Mombasa.

Source: www.kenyans.co.ke

status at risk and ruin livelihoods of the locals.

Source: www.bbc.com

+254 (0) 714 456 131 +254 (0) 735 331 002

cave@alibarbours.co www.alibarbours.co

DONGO-KUNDU BYPASS GATEWAY TO COASTAL DEVELOPMENT

By Ken Chelimo

T

he anticipated completion of the three-phase magnificent Dongo-Kundu Bypass in Mombasa is hitherto expected to open up Kenya's Coastal region to the rest of the world both in the delivery of goods, services and in human and vehicular traffic in the region.

When fully operational, it will serve as a gateway to Mombasa city – the second largest city in Kenya. Mombasa city which is an island, will be conveniently connected to its mainland to the west and to the south. The first phase of the Bypass is complete and already in use while the construction of the second and third phase is currently underway and nearing completion. Dongo-Kundu Bypass cuts time from Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) station in Miritini to Mombasa Central Business District (CBD) by 30 minutes. It will also now be convenient to use the Bypass to connect to the Moi International Airport and to the South Coast without entering Mombasa town after all.

Phase two of the project which is also referred to as Mombasa Southern Bypass Highway stretches a distance of 17.7km from Ng'ombeni in the south to Miritini in the north without entering the island which is currently served by the Likoni Ferry. The first phase took 36 months to complete and was commissioned in June 2018 by Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta. Thereafter, the construction of the second phase started in earnest. Phase one of the Bypass connects the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway at Bonje interchange near Mariakani, also linking the Miritini SGR Station at Miritini area.

When the road is fully opened for public use, it is expected to decongest the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway and to ease in evacuation of cargo at the Port of Mombasa. Since the Bypass links the Mombasa Port at Port Reitz, transportation of cleared goods to and from the port will now be easy and quicker to the mainland. The Bypass will serve as a convenient passage for trailers and tankers from the port to Mombasa-Nairobi Highway and from the Port to the LikoniLunga Lunga Road on the South Coast.

For travellers from upcountry going to South Coast from Nairobi, It will now be easy as they can avoid going through Mombasa but instead use the Bypass. This alternative route ensures that both travellers can avoid using the Likoni Ferry which is renowned for its persistent traffic jams and congestion. The heavy traffic jams and human congestion is occasioned by frequent breakdowns of the ferry linking Mombasa and the South Coast at Likoni. This has always caused delays and loss of man-hours waiting in queues, thus inconveniencing travellers, tourists, transporters, business people and the general public commuting to and from the South Coast using the ferry.

Dongo-Kundu Bypass was designed in 2015 as part of Kenya's government ambitious project to develop and modernize its transport infrastructure in what is commonly known as Kenya's Vision 2030 development project. The second phase will cost the country Sh24 billion (US$ 297M).

A Japanese construction firm Fujita-Mitsubishi Corporation began construction of the phase after receiving a go ahead from Kenya's Attorney General (AG's) office in April 2019.

According to the Kenya National Authority (KeNHA) Director-General Peter Mundinia, phase two comprises the new development and construction of the planned DongoKundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This will boost the economy of the coastal region along with offering employment to a large number of local people. KeNHA also classifies Dongo-Kundu Bypass as the most expensive road network in the country having cost the taxpayer a whopping Sh2.7 billion per kilometre to construct.

Experts say that the Dongo-Kundu road has started to revolutionize the coast economy particularly in Mombasa and Kwale counties. ”Suffice to say that Dongo-Kundu road is expected to boost economy, easy movement of goods, services, people, help in decongesting Mombasa Port and ease traffic snarl-ups by close to 60%”, reads a statement by KeNHA adding that the project is jointly funded by the Kenyan and Japanese governments.

The Japanese International Agency for Development (JICA), handed over the construction of the Dongo-Kundu Bypass to the Contractor, The China Civil Engineering Construction Company.

Residents agree that the road is a good investment in terms of public infrastructure and has enabled the residents and visitors to go about their business within the Mombasa CBD and other destinations without wasting valuable time in traffic. “It will boost our economy as it will be easy to move goods and services to and from the coastal region, particularly in the coastal city of Mombasa which is a regional hub”, they say.

Dongo Kundu Bypass comes in the wake of the delayed construction of the proposed Likoni Channel which was going to serve as the Gatebridge to provide an alternative to the ferries which have in the past been hit by frequent breakdowns causing delays.

However, this project has remained a pipe dream since its proposal in 2016. According to Vickram Korla, the Regional Director of Neptune Hotels in Diani, South coast, the business community in the tourism industry is very elated and has really welcomed the construction of the Dongo-Kundu Bypass. “Tourists will now be able to comfortably travel and move with ease from Mombasa to Diani whether by road or using the SGR at Miritini or planes at Moi international Airport in Mombasa”, says Vickram.

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has also recently expanded Ukunda Airtstrip in Diani to accommodate bigger planes, further opening up the South Coast. The road linking Moi International Airport in Mombasa is also being expanded to accommodate more traffic and is being modernized to link the Dongo-Kundu Bypass to South Coast and the MombasaNairobi Highway. The completion of Dongo-Kundu is therefore seen as the solution to the perennial problem of congestion at the Likoni Ferry, which is attributed to underdevelopment of South Coast.

Engineer Joseph Mosonik, Kenya's Transport Principal Secretary (PS) is optimistic that the government will always ensure that all infrastructural developments launched in the country like Dongo Kundu will be up and running by their time lines so as to achieve the country's Big Four Agenda and the country's Vision 2030. Mosonik says that since its inception in 2014, the Dongo Kundu project is running as per the ministry's schedule.

It is expected that after the Dongo- Kundu Bypass is complete, another Bypass will be constructed to link the Mombasa- Nairobi Highway to the North Coast from Miritini area and to the Mombasa-Malindi Road at Kwa Kadzongo in Mtwapa. The Bamburi Link Road is to link the new Momasa Northern Bypass Road to the MombasaMalindi Road at Bamburi. The proposed Northern Bypass and Bamburi link roads project in Mombasa county comprises of two sections totalling 39km. This will enable one traveling to areas like Mtwapa, Malindi, Kilifi, Watamu and Lamu without transiting through Mombasa CBD. The number of vehicles using the Nyali Beach will also be reduced upon completion of this Bypass according to Eng. Mosonik.

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Your doctor may suggest some Ibuprofen or Paracetamol for the fever and some over-the-counter (OTC) medication for the cough, wheezing and mucus production. OTC medicines should not be used in children under 4 years. Honey is sometimes appropriate for children older than 1 year.

WHEN SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR? Acute bronchitis is a common cause of cough. Swelling and redness in the large tubes of the lungs (bronchial tubes) leads to coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains, wheezing, and fever. The cough can sometimes last 3 or more weeks.

WHAT CAUSES ACUTE BRONCHITIS? Acute bronchitis in most cases is caused by a virus.

Viruses that cause common colds can cause acute bronchitis. At times the viral infection can suppress the immune system and cause secondary bacterial infections.

Acute bronchitis is often called as a 'chest cold.'

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT? Most often the condition is self-limiting. Antibiotics are rarely needed and if at all, they may help with the secondary bacterial infections but not against viruses.

With time the body can get rid of the infection.

You should see your doctor in case of the following warning symptoms: ·Shortness of breath. ·Persistent high fevers. ·Chills and night sweats. ·Coughing up bloody or rusty sputum. ·If you have illnesses that have reduced your immunity. ·If you are a smoker. ·If the patient is below 5 years or older than 65 years.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? If you need more information on acute bronchitis or any other health issue please get in touch with us in person or through a phone call for an appointment.

Our number is +254700999999. Alternatively you can send us an email and we will be more than happy to assist you with any medical queries. Our email is patientcare@dianibeachhospital.com.

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