Kilifi County banks on its rich tourism to turn around fortunes

By PASCAL MWANDAMBO

Kilifi County is counting on tourism to expand the economy and increase its fortunes. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy of the county known to be rich in minerals.

County Governor Amason Jefa Kingi  is expected to improve and diversify the sector to generate more revenue.

Largest county

This will create more job opportunities for the locals where the poverty levels stand at 68 per cent in a population of 1.1 million people.

Covering an area of 12,639 square kilometres, Kilifi County is the largest in Coast region.

Among the major tourism sector developments in the pipeline is the proposed Sh15 billion luxury tourism complex, which will straddle the 17-acre Kikambala beach front.

The complex will comprise a seven-storeyed building that will cater for both local and international visitors.

To be known as Ocean Seven Complex, the multi-billion shilling tourism facility, whose plan is borrowed from Dubai is expected to generate over 10,000 jobs in the next five years.

Another major shot in the arm for the tourism sector in Kilifi County is the proposed Sh8 billion tourism university to be put up at Vipingo, through funding from  the State owned Kenya Tourism Fund.

The facility to be known as Ronald Ngala Utalii University will be located on 60 acres of land belonging to the Ministry of Tourism. It will include a 500-bedroom five star beach hotel.

Ease pressure

This will not only be a major boost for the tourism sector in Kilifi County but will also ease pressure on the Nairobi based Kenya Utalii college.

Other proposed tourism developments in the County include the relocation of beach hawkers to designated zones so that they do not pose a nuisance to tourists and visitors at the beach.

The Kilifi County Government has already set aside Sh40 million this financial year for putting up markets for beach operators. Once completed, the traders will be required to vacate the beaches.

“Designated zones should be formed so that beach operators can sell their artifacts away from the beaches” says Philip Chai, an official of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers.

Among the spectacular tourist attractions in Kilifi include Watamu Marine National Park & Reserve, Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Gede Ruins, Vasco Da Gama pillar, Rabai Church and Mnarani Ruins. 

The County also has large agricultural potential, which has not been fully exploited so far.

 This includes fishing, horticulture, cashew nut growing and dairy farming.

Cashew nut farming which was the main agricultural activity in past years has faced a gradual decline after the closure of the nut factory.

Poor leadership

The folding of the plant is attributed to corruption and mismanagement as well as increased competition in the market.

There are plans by the devolved government to revive cashewnut farming as an integral part of the agricultural initiative.

Kilifi County has appreciable quantities of mineral resources including iron ore, titanium and vast quantities of salt deposits especially in Malindi district.

However, the salt mining sector has been dogged by controversy especially the issue of workers’ rights, which has seen employees down their tools on many occasions to demand better pay.