Coast business

COAST

BUSINESS ISSUE NO. 1 / SEPTEMBER 2021

KIFWA UPBEAT LAMU PORT TO SPUR FASTER ECONOMIC

GROWTH IN COASTAL KENYA

Mombasa Set For Seafood Processing Factory As Blue Economy Initiatives Take Shape

Mombasa Embraces Low Cost Housing Programme To Tackle Huge Decit

Jamal Declared Coast's Best Risingstar In Ladies Golf

COAST

BUSINESS COAST BUSINESS is a bi monthly magazine, distributed within the Coast Region and Nairobi. It is designed to provide information and promote business within the county.

EDITOR Sham Adam

CONTRIBUTORS Charles Ogallo

PHOTOGRAPHY Charles Ogallo

DESIGN & LAYOUT Otekera Nicky

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We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but we cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors of omission and/or commission. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily our own 2 | SEP 2021 | COAST BUSINESS

COVER STORY | COAST BUSINESS

First ship to berth at Lamu port

KIFWA upbeat Lamu Port to Spur Faster

ECONOMIC GROWTH in Coastal Kenya

By Charles Ogallo ogistics lobby group, the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) is set to explore more trade opportunities for its members at the newly launched Lamu Port signalizing the importance of the Kenya's second largest port to the business community, particularly importers and clearing agents at the Coast region and the country in general.

KIFWA national Chairman Roy Mwanthi says cargo clearing agents consider the port as more strategic and advanced in terms of infrastructure development and would likely boost faster economic growth particularly in Lamu County and the entire Coast region.

Mwanthi challenged the more than 3000 clearing agents in the country to focus more on improving services and explore new ways of doing businesses

L

through the new Port, which has continued to attract bigger cargo vessels since its official launch in May, 2021.

“We are talking to our members and I hope many of us are more focused in ensuring that we all benefit from this new window of opportunity brought about by this magnificent and strategic Port of Lamu, especially on imports and exports of cargo,” says Mwanthi.

He said KIFWA, together with other port stakeholders, were upbeat the heavily funded port infrastructure would easily accommodate the growing number of bigger shipping lines likely to call at the port.

KIFWA, however, highlighted current issues affecting both imports and export, particularly at Mombasa Port including vessel delays, Shipping lines surcharges, Customs holds, Containers shutouts,

systems down times and slow evacuations of Containers by SGR, which he said must be addressed urgently to avoid similar challenges at the Lamu Port.

Official operationalization of Lamu port began on May 20, 2021, after President Uhuru Kenyatta received the st first cargo ship and commissioned the 1 berth for operations at the new port.

The port, being developed as part of Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Project, is set to have a total of 23 berths and will help reduce congestions at the Port of Mombasa, according to Kenya Ports Authority strategic plans.

“The Lamu Port is envisaged to have a total of 23 berths with quay lengths of 400 meters each,” explained Bernard Osero, KPA's head of Corporate COAST BUSINESS | 3 | SEP 2021

COAST BUSINESS | COVER STORY

The berthingof Mv. AMU 1 to discharge first transhipment containers at the Port of Lamu

The Lamu Port is envisaged to have a total of 23 berths with quay lengths of 400 meters each

of Mombasa, according to Kenya Ports Authority strategic plans.

“The Lamu Port is envisaged to have a total of 23 berths with quay lengths of 400 meters each,” explained Bernard Osero, KPA's head of Corporate Communications.

LAPSSET, project which stands as nd Kenya's 2 transport corridor, according to President Uhuru Kenyatta, is a vital transport and infrastructure development initiative earmarked to open Coast region and the country in general to the entire world in terms of trade and maritime development.

Lamu Port is expected to become the largest port in Sub-Saharan Africa and target countries along Indian Ocean islands and would serve Northern Ethiopia, South Sudan, Zanzibar and Mozambique currently being served by Djibouti, Durban in South Africa and Salalah in Yemen.

Moreover, the port is currently opening up new opportunities for Kenyans in various sectors of the economy, including the fast growing real estate development spurred by ongoing infrastructure development projects being implemented across the region.

The Kenyan government in 1975, through a presidential directive, commissioned engineers to prepare a feasibility study for the country's 2nd Port in Lamu, according to government records. This was reportedly an alternative route to decongest the Mombasa Port, which was already facing cargo pile up challenges.

Operationalisation of the first berth of Lamu Port 4 | SEP 2021 | COAST BUSINESS

STORY | COAST BUSINESS

MOMBASA SET FOR SEAFOOD PROCESSING FACTORY AS BLUE ECONOMY INITIATIVES TAKE SHAPE

By Charles Ogallo

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lans to build a seafood processing factory in Mombasa are underway and may be ready by end of this year in what economists see as an ongoing process of opening up the Coast region for further development and growth of the blue economy.

The multi-million shillings factory, to be constructed at Liwatoni , Mombasa, from October, 2021, will be one of the most viable seafood processing hubs in Africa and globally, according to Stanley Chai, the Presidential Advisor on the Blue Economy.

Chai, who features also as CEO, Jumuiya la Kaunti za Pwani JKP) and an expert on port management and maritime affairs says fishing, as one of the components of the blue economy would easily quickly generate more job opportunities for locals, youths and women in particular as well as promote sustainable investments and food security in Mombasa and across the coast region.

The factory is set to employ more than 5,000 youths and open more economy activities in Mombasa and the Coast region, says Chai.

The seafood processing hub was among several projects announced recently by President Uhuru Kenyatta when he launched the 10-billion-shillings Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development Project in Mombasa to help uplift the income of fishing communities along the coastal region.

President Uhuru also listed the creation of a dedicated office to deal with oceans and the blue economy as some of the ongoing projects in the fisheries sector.

The Kenya Marine Fisheries SocioEconomic Development Project backed by the World Bank, reportedly seeks to create over 60,000 new jobs along the fishing value chain over the next decade and set to benefit 19 sub-counties in the coastal region, according to the President.

It will also provide many opportunities that will sour investments, increase tax revenues and sustainably improve local livelihoods as well as see the country attains its goal of getting more than 300,000 metric tonnes of fish annually and in turn create at least 60,000 jobs over the next ten years.

Addressing a blue economy meeting in Mombasa in July 28,2021, the Presidential

Presidential Adviser Stanley Chai addressing participants during public awareness meeting on Blue Economy at Freetown CDF Hall Bombolulu Mombasa

...60,000 new jobs along the fishing value chain over the next decade and set to benefit 19 sub-counties in the coastal region Advisor added that youths and women will be the major beneficiaries in the fishing projects and challenged them to take seriously education especially training for skills focusing on the blue economy.

"The only better way for the Coast to compete with other regional blocks and successfully benefit from blue economy, which is our only hope for faster economic growth in this region is for youths to embrace education and have adequate and relevant skills and competencies as technicians, seafarers, marine experts ,shipmasters and many others in the shipping and maritime sector, " notes Chai.

Kenya Ports Authority's owned Bandari College in Mombasa is currently providing opportunity trainings on skills set to drive development and growth in the blue economy across the country.

The government is also providing financial support, through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), to youths interested in skills development in areas such as International Maritime Organization IMO certified trainings

on the blue economy including seafaring and shipmasters.

Jumuiya ya kaunti za Pwani, a Coast region economic block has also negotiated for support from the European Union (EU) on loans to promote blue economy development projects including new initiative dubbed 'Go Blue', which has already attracted funding worth Ksh.3.2 billion and involves implementing projects in the counties of Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta.

The four-year project funded by EU aims at strengthening inclusive blue economy value chains, creating wealth and transforming the lives of people living in the coastal areas and other Kenyans across the country , according to EU deputy Ambassador to Kenya, Katrin Hagemann.

The project is expected to benefit more than 3,000 youths and women.

Blue economy has been identified by the government as a priority sector under Kenya's Vision 2030 development agenda.

COAST BUSINESS | 5 | SEP 2021

COAST BUSINESS | STORY

MOMBASA EMBRACES

LOW COST HOUSING PROGRAMME TO TACKLE HUGE DEFICIT

M

ombasa County Government targets to build more than 20,000 low cost housing units annually through Public Private Partnership program (PPP) to address perenial shortage, which has so far seen the County struggle to meet the ever growing demand against the dwindling supply.

The County's Vision 2035 Development Agenda, launched almost two years ago by Governor Hassan Ali Joho administration, recommends for the construction of 25,000 new housing units annually against the current supply rate of 4000 units.

Mombasa aims to use the Affordable Housing programme, currently championed by the National Government, through President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four Agenda, to scale up 30,000 housing units in order to cover the current deficit of 20,000 units.

A feasibility study conducted in 2016 by the County Government recommeded all old and dipilated municipal houses be condemned and demolished to allow construction of new and modern houses which would change the face of the country's second largest city.

The current administration, therefore, has earmarked all Municipal estates spread across the county including Buxton Estate, currently 6 | SEP 2021 | COAST BUSINESS

under reconstruction to be converted into affordable houses in the first phase of the program.

More than Ksh.50 billion will be invested in reconstructing the estates at costs affordable to locals with Changamwe Estate set to take the lion's share of the kshs 17.5billion followed by Buxton at kshs. 6 billion then Likoni Flats at ksh.4.5 billion.

Other estates targeted for the affordable housing programme include Khadija, Kaa Chonjo, Nyerere, Tudor, Tom Mboya and Kizingo Muniscipal estates, according to County CeC Lands, Planning and Housing Taufiq Balala.

Balala alluded the success of affordable housing programme to the benefits of embracing ongoing Public Private Partnership program on housing development, which he said was driving economic development across various counties.

Balala said Mombasa county, through private developers, launched its flagship housing project at Buxton Estate in May, 2021, which involved demolition of old and dipilated muniscipal houses and reconstruction of modern ones and which are set to be completed by end of 2022.

The mullti-billion shillings Buxton Housing project has seen the 545 old and dipilated houses that once stood on the 14 acre land, demolished to pave way for construction of 1,900 one to three bedroom units which should be ready by 2022.

Beatrice Gambo, the Project Manager said the new project which has been embraced both by business community and locals is set to employ more than 3000 locals in the next one year .

"The Buxton project, the Mombasa County's flagship project and first of it's own at the Coast region's housing sector is isxpected to totally change the face of Mombasa and provide employment to some 3000 locals, particularly, youths and women including persons living with disabilities," explained the project manager.

The project brings together residential and commercial property for sale and rental with the residential units comprising of one, two and three bedroom units, a Youth Center, Kindergartens, Social Hall, Open Playing Fields and commercial units as per th planning structure.

The second phase of the programme will involve redevelopment of 12,000 more housing units in Tudor, Tom Mboya, Kaa Chonjo , Khadija and Kizingo estates as per the County's Vision 2035.

The county has 72 informal settlements, which also need upgrading, according to the County data on land, planning and housing development.

SPORTS | COAST BUSINESS

Alyssa Jamal readying to tee off the golf ball during the finals of Ladies’ Coast Open Golf Championship 2021 at Nyali Golf and Country Club

the defending champion from Kitale Golf club was declared the overall Winner with an overall score of 295 points.

Madina Iddy from Arusha Gymkhana Golf Club in Tanzania became 2nd with 300 points followed closely by Angel Eaton from Lugalo Golf Club in Tanzania too, who also scored 303 points overall.

Alyssa Jamal, in the company of her father Jamal Aly Jamal displayed her prowess in golf in the presence of the highly experienced and professional lady golfers including the Ladies Coast Open Golf tournament champion Naomi Wafula.

The 10th grade student at Agha Khan Academy in Mombasa thanked her father, also a golfer, for the support and motivation, terming him as her greatest mentor since she began her journey of playing golf, a game she dearly holds close to her heart.

“I started playing golf from my childhood because of my dad, Aly Jamal, who is also a golfer because I would always accompany him whenever he goes to play golf and when he realized my potential in playing golf that's

Margaret Njoki of Park Golf Club Nairobi teeing off during Ladies’ Coast Open Golf Championship 2021 at Nyali Golf and Country Club

JAMAL DECLARED COAST'S

BEST RISINGSTAR IN LADIES GOLF

By Charles Ogallo

A

lyssa Jamal Aly-Jamal vividly brought out her best skills and sterling performance in teeing off during the fourth and final legs of Ladies Coast Open Golf 2021 championship played on 5th August, 2021 at par 72 Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa.

The Coast's junior lady golfer and Silver Winner of 2019 Ladies Medal Golf Tournament emerged the best Junior golfer during the four-day event played consecutively at Leisure Lodge and Hotel Resort in Kwale, Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi, Mombasa Golf Club and Nyali Golf and Country clubs in Mombasa.

The event, which attracted 152 strong lady golfers who included Juniors and seniors golfers from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania began on 3rd August, 2021 with the 1st leg played at Leisure Lodge's 28 holes golf course while 3rd and final legs were held at Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa.

The 2nd leg was held on 4th August, 2011 at Vipingo Ridge's 18 holes before the golfers headed to Nyali's 36 holes golf course for the final competition where Naomi Wafula, who is

Mildred Natecho of Eldoret Golf Club preparing to tee off at Nyali Golf Club Mombasa during the 2021 Ladies’ Coast Open Golf Tournament.

when he allowed me to start lessons at Nyali Golf club,” Alyssa said during an exclusive interview with our writer.

Alyssa, says that all her life she has loved the game of golf since her childhood received her handicap in 2015, which is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential with better players having lower handicaps, explains John Kisia, a senior couch and professional golfer at the Nyali Golf and Country Club.

"This young golfer has the real potential to rise to the top and become one of Kenya's best lady golfers, she is a very disciplined and humble girl when it comes to obeying instructions from her trainers and that's the secret of a successful golfer anywhere around the globe," Mr Kisia said.

Alyssa has competed in numerous national and international competitions including the US Kids Golf International Competition, the 72 Holes Junior Stroke play Championship, Royal and many more according to records at Nyali Golf Club where she practices. ...continued on page 8 COAST BUSINESS | 7 | SEP 2021

...continued from page 7 She won her Silver medal after emerging the Winner in March 2021 Mug Award tournament played on June 15, 2021 and sponsored by Oriental Global Immigration Services.

"I have great passion for golf, the game has helped me learn many things in my social life, it has really taught me the importance of being humble, patience and above all focus on my goals including being an international golfer which I'm aiming to achieve in the near future, God willing," Said Alyssa.

Playing golf has also provided Alyssa with opportunities to connect with different players globally, form closer bonds with her family and boost her determination to always succeed, according to her social media profiles.

Similar sentiments were echoed by other young professional lady golfers including Mildred Natecho from Eldoret Golf Club, Margaret Njoki of Golf Park Club Nairobi and Vicky Elias of Lugalo Golf Club in Tanzania

who also participated in the four-day tournament "Golf has helped me to travel, meet and connect with very humble and disciplined people of high profiles and great aspirations and helped me create commendable networks including international business connections," said Natecho, who is also aspiring to be a professional golfer with the hope of representing Kenya in future international golf tournaments.

Natecho, a teeing off handicap 13 started playing golf 10 years ago at Eldoret Golf Club where she used to work before as a caddie.

Njoki, a handcap 10 player from the Golf Park Club Nairobi said Alyssa's display of best skills and energy while teeing at the golf course was a good show of the great potential in young girls of pursuing a sporting career through golf.

Njoki, who emerged among top 15 lady

golfers and ranked number 10 with an overall score of 333 points in the tournament declared that “it doesn't matter your background in life, our girls out there can do it much better than we do it here now, but only if those aspiring to play the game of golf instil discipline and hardwork in them just like what Alyssa is passionately doing to be the best among the best."

Majority of the golfers some from low economic backgrounds like Natecho and Njoki who started as cadiees, carrying golf bags for other golfers and now best players disapproved of the belief that the game was only for the rich and wealthy.

The ladies coast open golf championship 2020 was postponed indefinitely due to the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic which has since caused millions of death across the globe.