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Coast Development Authority’s monthly newsletter: the leading regional

development authority newsletter in Kenya.

cda news: transforming lives

CDA assists two community welfare groups win funding from EU

Msambweni &

Kinango receive

over KSH. 31M

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CDA marks In-

ternational Wom-

en‟s Day in style.

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Corporate Social

Responsibiltiy. 5

Eco-tourism a vi-

able project in

Ijara

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Low cost hous-

ing...a solution to

better homes.

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You can buy hap-

iness , but not

with money

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In this issue

Feb/Mar. 2012

Volume 1

Issue 19 The Authority has assisted two Community Based Organizations (CBO‟s) in Msambweni and Kinango receive over Kshs 31 Million in

grants from the Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) to be utilized in various income-generating activities as well as environ-

mental conservation. CDTF operates within the Kenyan Government and the European Union (EU) partnership. DANIDA have provided

the grants for the projects. CDA assisted the two groups by crafting the project proposals.

3rd February saw the launch of the first CBO called Papa-

razzy Welfare 2000 group which was attended by the Man-

ager, Communication and Public Relations of CDA,

Angelina Mwashumbe, Mr. Mkalla the Kwale DDCO and

other CDA officers.

The launch of the official project dubbed: „Climate

Change: Community Development for Environmental

Management Programme‟, took place at Farmers‟

Ground in Ukunda, Msambweni.

The Chief Guest during the occasion of the Paparazzy

Welfare 2000 group, the Permanent Secretary (PS) Minis-

try of Forestry and Wildlife, Mr. Mohammed Mwachai,

said he was confident the group was going to make good

use of the grant He said the members of the committee

had proved that they had goodwill and therefore the pro-

jects would definitely succeed. (continued on next page)

The P.S. Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Mr. Mohammed Mwachai hands over

the official documents to the Paparazzy Welfare 2000 group in the presence of

CDTF representative, Mr. Elijah Mutungi and CDA officers.

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He however cautioned members of the community against sidelining themselves from the project

but asked them to own it so as to benefit from it. In his speech , the Chairman of Paparazzy Wel-

fare 2000, Mr. Abdalla Juma Ngovi said they would work hand in hand with other stakeholders to

avoid duplication of projects. He said the overall objective of this

programme was to support community projects aimed at poverty reduction through sustainable

alternative livelihood interventions, environmental protection, natural resource management and

environmental health education with a view to enhancing environmental governance and mitiga-

tion against climate change.

Paparazzy Welfare 2000 is a well known CBO in Msambweni, Kwale county which has hitherto

undertaken several community-related development within Ukunda town. One such project was

on environmental waste disposal. The group received Ksh. 25 million to cover a period of three

years and the community will contribute Ksh. 2.5 million. The representative of CDTF, Mr. Elijah

Mutungi came from Nairobi to witness the signing of the documents by members of the group

and officially hand them over, thereby officially launching the programme.

The following day, 24th February, the Akphwehu Welfare Group was also officially launched in Kinango by Mr. Elijah Mutungi from CDTF, Nairobi. Again, Mr.

Mutungi witnessed the signing of the document by members of the welfare group and officially handed them over to the Chair. This second group will concentrate

on soil and water conservation and management activities. The local leaders calling on the community to work hand in hand with the committee and cautioned

them to stop cutting down trees.

The Chairman of the Akphwehu group, Mr. Njogi Mwero, said it was necessary that the community stop relying on charcoal burning as a source of livelihood and

venture into other projects as lack of trees had caused lack of rainfall in the area, and when it rained floods occurred. Mr. Mwero said he was confident his group

would receive more funding as they would endeavor to do a great job by implementing projects that would benefit the community.

According to Mr. Elijah Mutungi the CDTF representative, his organization has funded approximately 97 groups, out of which 13 are in the Coast Region. Coast

Region has received a total f Kshs 307 Million in grants. Six of the groups are in Kwale County and they have received a total of Ksh139.7 million in grants.

Mr. Mutungi said that they will be monitoring all the projects from time to time and asked the groups to be accountable and to hold Annual General Meetings

Both launches were attended by local leaders and elders, community members, the local D.Os, chiefs and CDA officers.

The chairman of Paparazzy Welfare 2000 Mr. Abdalla Juma Ngovi

(left) receives the official documents pertaining to the project

from Mr. Mohammed Mwachai, the P.S. of Ministry of Forest and

Wildlife.

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CDA pictorial

CDA officers join the International Women’s

Day celebrations in Kilifi.

Mr. Elijah Mutungi the CDTF representative plants a tree during the

launch of the Akphwehu Welfare group in Kinango.

Mr. Elijah Mutungi handing over the official documents of

Akphwehu Welfare group in Kinango.

A sample of a low-cost house that CDA intends to

construct in the counties.

CDA took part in International Women’s

day celebrations in Kilifi.

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Coast Development Authority joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Women‟s Day on 8th March at Karisa Maitha

grounds in Kilifi County. Gracing the event as the chief guest was Ms. Esther Kache, the chairperson of the Kilifi County Council and

a member of the women‟s group known as „Igwe‟. Magarini MP, Hon. Amason Kingi and Malindi MP, Hon. Gideon Mng‟aro were

among other guests who joined women in Kilifi County in marking the day usually celebrated the world over. „Connecting Girls, In-

spiring Futures‟ was the 2012 theme of the year, observed worldwide, a theme meant to inspire women and celebrate their achieve-

ments.

“It is now our time to deliver through the County Government, we must work together in unity as women, if any development is to

come to Kilifi County”, stated Ms Esther

Kache, the chief guest.

Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8, where thousands of events occur not just on

this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Women from all Kilifi sub-locations

arrived at Karisa Maitha grounds to celebrate the day. They were resplendent in African outfits of many colours and danced to the gentle

coastal melodies called bango, taarab and traditional music such as chiringongo in honour of women‟s accomplishments. They stressed

that gender mainstreaming be recognized in all sectors of the economy.

“I am ready to associate with a team that will recognize and work hand in and with women without discrimination”, remarked Hon.

Amason Kingi Magarini MP.

Kilifi‟s women leaders emphasized that empowering rural women would help tp to alleviate hunger and poverty. They all spoke in one

voice, sharing the story of ordinary women as makers of history; rooted in their old century‟s old struggle to participate in society on

an equal footing with men. Malindi MP, Ho. Gideon Mng‟aro acknowledged women‟s contribution in the development of the Kenyan

economy, and urged women to take advantage of the support given by the current constitution that has now placed woman in a bet ter

position to work and deliver towards the growth of the country, at the county level.

This date is also commemorated by the United Nations and is designated as a national holiday when women on all continents, often

divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to honour their day

and honour one another.

The Kilifi County Council chairman Esther

Kache ( in orange) and Beatrice Gilani ( in

pink) dance in style during the International

Women’s Day celebrations, at Karisa Maitha

grounds, Kilifi.

Hon. Amason Kingi, Magarini MP addresses

women at Karisa Maitha Ground in Kilifi.

CDA marks International Women’s Day in Kilifi County

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CSR: Aga Khan Academy students

seek assistance from CDA Students from the IBA class (form five) at Aga Khan Academy Mombasa have started a club

intended to sensitize the public on environmental matters and raise the standard of living of

the people living in Mombasa city.

Speaking to CDA‟s Public Relations Manager, Angelina Mwashumbe, the patron of the envi-

ronmental school club, Mr. George Killeen said the club intends to make a difference in the

region in terms of environmental conservation , health, education, pollution and sensitiza-

tion. He lamented that most occupants of public offices did very little to make sure that the

ordinary mwananchi benefited from the services they rendered.

Remarking that Mombasa had become pretty filthy and yet it is the second largest city in

Kenya and the main tourist attraction with numerous guests visiting our beautiful beaches,

sampling our food and enjoying the tropical climate. “The

city has no garbage collection system city hence there are

mounds of garbage everywhere. There are no street lights so

it is not safe to walk at night. There is lack of adequate clean

water,” complained Mr. Killeen.

Jamal and Jamil Abdulhamid, identical twins and founders of

the club, said they are passionate about raising awareness

and have designed an interactive web site to thiseffect

themed: „Your environmental voice and making a difference‟.

They have been to a number of schools withhthe aim of sen-

sitizing more high school students.

Sohail Shariff, a club member, said it this CSR venture pro-

vides them with opportunities to gain leadership experience

and network with volunteers. He also stated that the major

challenge facing the club‟s awareness efforts was financial as they relied soley on the support

of the school. The purpose of contacting CDA was to initiate contact and raise awareness in

the ope that CDA would see it as an opportunity to come on board and connect the club with

key decision makers in Mombasa city in order to broaden the scope of this worthwhile CSR

project.

Who hasn't dreamed of going on a

wildlife safari? Did you know that Ija-

ra District in Kenya‟s north eastern re-

gion has the potential to become a top

-notch tourist attraction? But where

exactly is Ijara District and what does

it have to offer? What are the opportu-

nities it presents?

Ijara is one of the districts that form

Garissa County. It borders Fafi District to the North, Lamu Dis-

trict to the South, Tana Delta District to the South West, Tana

River to the West and the Republic of Somalia to the East.

Approximately one quarter of the district is covered by the Boni

Forest. A section of the forest, the Boni National Reserve, is

managed by the Kenyan Wildlife Service as a protected conserva-

tion area. Other forest types are found along the River Tana on

the western border.

The district lies in a transition area where the northern arid bush

lands merge the semi-arid and humid coastal climatic conditions

in southern part of Boni and Dodori forest mosaic. This ecosys-

tem is truly diverse. It isa complex mosaic of interrelated coastal,

riverine and terrestrial ecosystem and habitats. The rich biodiver-

sity found in the Ijara ecosystem is home to rare and exotic wild-

life and birdlife species. The rare Hirola antelope (beatragus

hunter) and the African wild dog (lycaon pictus) are both found

here. Thus the regions potential for eco-tourism development is

immense. Ijara lies within the coastal tourism circuit which in-

cludes fascinating Lamu and the proposed northern tourist cir-

cuit which will cover Garissa, the economic hub of north eastern

region. Eco-tourism will create employment, generate revenue

and open up the neglected arid and semi arid region.

Ijara District: a potential tourist hot spot!

CDA Communication and P.R.

Manager , Ms. Angelina Mwash-

umbe together with students from

the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa.

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One crucial and common shortcoming in the housing sector is the inadequacy and limitations of housing finance mecha-nisms. The fact that conventional hous-ing finance usually works in favour of middle and high income groups is re-flected in highly segmented housing mar-kets. The low and even middle-income majority of the population in Kenya can-not afford a loan even for the least expen-sive commercially-built housing units. Consequently, many low or even middle-

income households build their own houses progressively over long periods – as long as ten to fifteen years, or as is the case for the majority of the low-income population in many towns, they are simply tenants. CDA has identified affordable housing as a key challenge facing the residents in all Coast‟s counties. The Kenya Vision 2030 aims to provide the country‟s popula-tion with adequate and decent housing in a sustainable environment. Improving the quality of life of coastal residents remains the utmost objective of the Author-ity. The goal for 2012 is to increase the annual production of housing units from the current 35,000 annually to over 200,000. In line with this, the Authority is de-veloping a project to construct low income housing in each county, and ensure that large sections of the rural population are adequately housed. These units will be sold at a very affordable price to county residents. CDA is planning to construct 1000 two-bedroom bungalow units in each of the six counties. The Authority has secured commitment from possible financiers for the project; as it embarks on securing appropriate land at county level. Mr. Tom Ombasa, Chief Manager Business Development and Investment Promotion and Ismail Aden, Marketing Officer visited Kilifi, Malindi, Tana River, Garissa and Lamu Counties; and met respective county clerks and town clerks with a view to securing land for the proposed low-cost housing scheme. The initiative was well-received in every county, with local administrators pledging their support for the proposed project. The county clerks said they will closely follow up with the County Councils for approval of appropriate land. Hola and Tana River counties were particularly elated offering up to 200 acres of land in addition to the 70 acres CDA intends to purchase in every county. The recent launch of Lamu Port has created a new market for housing as many companies will begin to flock the town creating an incredible need for comfortable and affordable housing for many.

(continued from pg. 5)

There are three conservation areas within

the boundaries of Ijara which include the

Arawale Game Reserve, Boni National Re-

serve and Tana River Primate Reserve; as

well as a number of upcoming community

conservancies among them (i) Ishaqbini

Conservancy for the endangered Hirola an-

telope and (ii) Bodhai Eco-camp. The local

communities too offer a glimpse of indige-

nous sights, sounds and raw smells as you

will meet them in their traditional dress, perhaps watch them dancing; see

the manyattas and cultural artifacts that attest to their nomadic lifestyle.

The outstanding Boni people are classified as cushitic and are descendants

of the Proto-Sam who migrated from Southern Somalia. They are mainly

hunters and gatherers and have their own distinct language. The Boni com-

munity depends largely on the forest with the Boni women being responsi-

ble for the collection and processing of wild plants for consumption and me-

dicinal purposes.

In the next edition of the newsletter we will ex-

pound more on the fascinating communites liv-

ing in Ijara District. For now, plan to go to Ijara

for your next holiday and explore it first hand.

You will come away appreciating another part

of Kenya that is often overlooked by travel

agents and the tourism industry.

This article was submitted by:

Abdinoor Osman the DDCO based in

Garissa South.

CDA Director Mike Mure with a scout and conservancy manager in Ijara.

Low-cost housing……a solution for Kenya’s families

Mr. Tom Ombasa ,the Chief Manager Business and In-

vestment together with Marketing officer Ismail Aden

visiting Ijara County Council officer Mr. Hassan Musa.

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This newsletter is

published by the

Communication and P. R.

Department of CDA.

Coast Development Authority (CDA) CDA is a corporate body established by an act of Parliament

Cap.449 in 1990. It is mandated to plan and coordinate the imple-

mentation of integrated development projects in the whole of

coast Province, Ijara and the Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ).

Vision To be the lead agency in promoting sustainable utilization

of the natural resources for increased food production,

employment and wealth creation in CDA‟s area of

jurisdiction.

OUR CONTACTS

P. O. BOX 1322-80100

MOMBASA.

Web site: www.cdakenya.go.ke

E-mail: cda@cdakenya.go.ke

An investment in gratitude pays valuable dividends, especially

when times are tough. Many people today are struggling to make

ends meet with less. What's the secret to finding happiness when

you're coping with loss? If we observe people who know how to be

happy, we find that they make a point of being grateful for whatev-

er they have. And it's not related to how much material wealth you

may or may not possess. A growing body of research has demon-

strated that grateful people are happier than their less-grateful

counterparts, regardless of their income level.

Gratitude has also been found to be a powerful antidote to de-

pression. Martin Seligman, PhD, a pioneer in the positive psychology movement, and colleagues at

University of Pennsylvania delivered gratitude instructions to 50 severely depressed visitors to a self-

help website. They recommended that individuals take time each day to write down three things that

went well that day, and why they thought so. Fifteen days later, 94 percent of the 50 individuals re-

ported feeling significantly less depressed.

Cultivating gratitude is a powerful way to overcome adversity and depression. By choosing to focus

on your blessings, rather than ruminating on your disappointments and deficits, you nourish posi-

tive feelings about yourself, your life, and others. As an ongoing attitude, gratitude will help you cul-

tivate happiness throughout your life. Gratitude is habit-forming. The number of things you can be

grateful for is unlimited. As a happiness resource, gratitude is free and inexhaustible.

There are many ways you can weave gratitude into the fabric of your life:

•Keep a gratitude journal. At the end of each day, write down three things you experienced that you

feel grateful for. They could be as varied as the buds appearing on the trees in your yard and appreci-

ation for the kindness extended to you by a stranger.

•Write and deliver a gratitude letter to someone in your life whom you have not properly thanked for

what they have given to you. You can deliver the letter in person or read it over the telephone. It's a

powerful experience, for you as well as for the person you're thanking.

•Say grace before each meal to express your thanks for the food you are about to eat. Use whatever

language you're comfortable with, whether religious, spiritual, or just an informal expression of

gratitude for the meal.

•Make a point of thanking anyone who serves you in any way -- the cashier in the office, your child for

clearing the dinner table, the technical support person who helped you fix your computer.

You can buy happiness, but not with money