Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki has called on the national government to establish Ebola screening centres at all major weighbridges along the Northern Corridor to strengthen the country's preparedness against the deadly disease.

Speaking during a free medical outreach programme in Jomvu organized by his office in partnership with Mount Kenya University, Senator Faki said Kenya must enhance surveillance measures along key transport routes used by long-distance truck drivers travelling between East Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola cases have been reported.

The Senator noted that while the government has put considerable emphasis on isolation and treatment facilities, equal attention should be directed towards early detection through screening centres.

"As a country, we must be more vigilant on the Northern Corridor. Thousands of truck drivers move between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo every month. We should not wait until suspected cases reach our communities before taking action," said Faki.

"The government should establish Ebola screening centres at all major weighbridges and transit points. Prevention and early detection are just as important as isolation centres," he added.

Faki said weighbridges provide strategic locations for health screening because they serve as mandatory stopovers for cargo trucks travelling across the region.

"Instead of focusing only on isolation centres, we should invest in screening facilities where travellers and truck drivers can be monitored before they proceed with their journeys. This will strengthen our national preparedness and help protect Kenyans," he said.

The Senator's remarks come as Kenya continues to enhance surveillance measures at points of entry following the Ebola outbreak in parts of the DRC and Uganda.

The Ministry of Health has already intensified screening at border points and other entry routes as part of ongoing preparedness efforts.

The medical outreach in Jomvu attracted hundreds of residents who received free medical consultations, screening services, and health education.

Senator Faki commended Mount Kenya University and healthcare workers participating in the exercise, saying such initiatives help bridge healthcare access gaps for vulnerable communities.

"Health is a fundamental right. Through partnerships such as this one, we can bring essential medical services closer to our people and improve health outcomes across our communities," he said.

The outreach programme will continue until Sunday, offering a range of healthcare services to residents of Jomvu and surrounding areas.

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki has called on the national government to establish Ebola screening centres at all major weighbridges along the Northern Corridor to strengthen the country's preparedness against the deadly disease.

Speaking during a free medical outreach programme in Jomvu organized by his office in partnership with Mount Kenya University, Senator Faki said Kenya must enhance surveillance measures along key transport routes used by long-distance truck drivers travelling between East Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola cases have been reported.

The Senator noted that while the government has put considerable emphasis on isolation and treatment facilities, equal attention should be directed towards early detection through screening centres.

"As a country, we must be more vigilant on the Northern Corridor. Thousands of truck drivers move between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo every month. We should not wait until suspected cases reach our communities before taking action," said Faki.

"The government should establish Ebola screening centres at all major weighbridges and transit points. Prevention and early detection are just as important as isolation centres," he added.

Faki said weighbridges provide strategic locations for health screening because they serve as mandatory stopovers for cargo trucks travelling across the region.

"Instead of focusing only on isolation centres, we should invest in screening facilities where travellers and truck drivers can be monitored before they proceed with their journeys. This will strengthen our national preparedness and help protect Kenyans," he said.

The Senator's remarks come as Kenya continues to enhance surveillance measures at points of entry following the Ebola outbreak in parts of the DRC and Uganda.

The Ministry of Health has already intensified screening at border points and other entry routes as part of ongoing preparedness efforts.

The medical outreach in Jomvu attracted hundreds of residents who received free medical consultations, screening services, and health education.

Senator Faki commended Mount Kenya University and healthcare workers participating in the exercise, saying such initiatives help bridge healthcare access gaps for vulnerable communities.

"Health is a fundamental right. Through partnerships such as this one, we can bring essential medical services closer to our people and improve health outcomes across our communities," he said.

The outreach programme will continue until Sunday, offering a range of healthcare services to residents of Jomvu and surrounding areas.

Next week, global leaders, conservationists, investors, development partners, and ocean advocates will converge in Mombasa for the Our Ocean Conference 2026 to discuss the future of ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, and the blue economy.

The conference presents an opportunity for Kenya to showcase its rich marine biodiversity and leadership in ocean governance. Yet as delegates gather to discuss protecting the ocean, a critical question remains: what happens when the communities that depend on the ocean are steadily losing access to it? Kenya's coastline has long been one of the country's greatest ecological and economic assets. Its mangroves, coral reefs, beaches, and marine ecosystems support tourism, fisheries, and thousands of livelihoods.

According to the Kenya Tourism Board, Kenya earned approximately KSh452 billion from international tourism in 2025, with the coast remaining one of the country's most important tourism destinations. However, beneath this success story lies a growing crisis facing coastal communities. Across the Kenyan coast, fisherfolk communities are increasingly raising concerns over the encroachment, irregular acquisition, and privatization of fish landing sites and public beach access areas by private investors and politically connected individuals.

These sites are not idle spaces. They are critical public utility areas that support fishing, fish handling, processing, trade, and transport. Without them, fishing communities lose their connection to the ocean and the livelihoods it sustains. Beach Management Units (BMUs), which are legally recognized under the Fisheries Management and Development Act, 2016, warn that many fish landing sites remain undocumented, untitled, and vulnerable to dispossession. In many coastal areas, communities report increasing competition for land arising from tourism infrastructure, private coastal developments, speculative land acquisition, and other commercial interests.

The challenge is further compounded by shrinking access to traditional fishing grounds and coastal resources. While initiatives such as mangrove restoration and blue carbon projects are important for climate resilience and ecosystem protection, communities argue that conservation efforts must be implemented in ways that protect both ecosystems and the rights of the people who depend on them. Conservation should not inadvertently exclude the very communities that have acted as custodians of these ecosystems for generations.

The risks are not theoretical. In February 2024, the Environment and Land Court in Malindi declared the irregular allocation of a public beach access corridor in Kilifi unconstitutional and ordered its restoration.

The court affirmed that beach access areas are public land held in trust for the benefit of residents and the wider public. The ruling highlighted growing tensions along the coast as communities increasingly fear losing access to traditional fishing spaces due to speculative development and rising land pressures. What is happening along Kenya's coastline is not merely a land issue. It is a livelihood, governance, and environmental justice issue. Once fish landing sites are lost, communities lose access to fish markets, income opportunities, food security, and cultural heritage linked to the sea. Women involved in fish processing and trade are often disproportionately affected, while young people face shrinking economic opportunities in an already fragile coastal economy.

These concerns speak directly to the themes that will dominate discussions at the Our Ocean Conference. Around the world, governments and development partners are increasingly recognizing that successful ocean conservation depends on the meaningful participation and inclusion of local communities. Yet along Kenya's coastline, many fisherfolk remain uncertain about the future of the very spaces that connect them to the ocean.

If Kenya is serious about advancing a sustainable and inclusive blue economy, then securing fish landing sites must become a national priority. There is an urgent need for the national and county governments to support the identification, adjudication, gazettement, and titling of fish landing sites as protected public utility and community-use spaces. Such measures would safeguard livelihoods, strengthen fisheries governance, reduce land-related conflicts, and protect public access to the ocean.

As the world gathers in Mombasa next week, Kenya has an opportunity to demonstrate that ocean conservation and community rights are not competing priorities but mutually reinforcing objectives. Protecting fish landing sites, public access corridors, and the tenure rights of coastal communities should be viewed as central pillars of ocean governance and blue economy development. Ultimately, there can be no sustainable ocean without secure coastal communities. The success of Kenya's blue economy should not be measured solely by tourism revenues, conservation commitments, or investment figures, but also by whether the communities that have sustained these ecosystems for generations can continue to access the ocean that sustains their livelihoods, culture, and identity.

As delegates deliberate the future of our oceans in Mombasa, they must remember that ocean justice begins at the shoreline.

Muturi Kamau is the National Coordinator of the Kenya Oil and Gas Working Group (KOGWG) and works on community land rights, natural resource governance, and coastal community advocacy in Kenya.

Residents of Bung'ombe area in Mwakirunge, Mombasa County, have been urged to form a representative committee to facilitate efforts aimed at resolving longstanding land ownership disputes and issuing title deeds within the next 90 days.

Speaking during a public meeting with residents, Mombasa County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands Mohamed Hussein Amadoh said the county government was prioritising the regularisation of land ownership to end decades of uncertainty that have seen many residents labelled as squatters.

Amadoh said securing land tenure was the first step towards unlocking development projects and ensuring residents could enjoy long-term security.

"We want to sit together and subdivide the land so that everyone gets their title deed. Once you have a title deed, nobody will disturb you again. The story of squatters and landowners will come to an end," he said.

He noted that the county government was exploring plans for additional investments in the area, including a waste recycling facility and a Level Five hospital, but stressed that resolving land ownership issues remained the immediate priority.

According to Amadoh, development projects could only proceed smoothly once residents had acquired legal ownership documents.

Director of Surveys Rose Munupe said the county government had joined hands with the national government following a directive by President William Ruto to ensure residents in Mombasa receive title deeds within 90 days.

She said the Lands department had already begun consultations with local leaders and residents to understand the area's history and address existing challenges before commencing the land adjudication process.

"Every area has its own history and challenges. That is why we have come to engage residents first and understand the issues before beginning the exercise," she said.

Mwakirunge MCA Mwinyi Mtoto Hamisi welcomed the initiative, saying residents had waited for years to obtain title deeds and deserved to live without fear.

He called on residents and government officials to work together to ensure the process succeeds.

"We need title deeds so that our people can live without fear. Let us sit together and move forward," he said.

However, some residents urged the county government to provide more information and follow the legal procedures governing public participation and project approvals.

James Boma, a resident who said he had lived in Bung'ombe for more than 30 years, called for greater transparency regarding the proposed projects and asked that formal notices be issued before any plans are implemented.

He said residents needed adequate time to analyse proposals and understand their implications.

"We are not rejecting development, but we want things done properly. Let there be gazette notices and proper public participation before decisions are made," he said.

Another resident, Purity, said the community had endured years of hardship and marginalisation and urged leaders to prioritise title deeds before introducing other development initiatives.

"We have lived here for years under difficult conditions. What we want first is title deeds and then development," she said.

In response to concerns raised by residents, Amadoh said the meeting marked the beginning of consultations and assured the community that all legal requirements, including public participation and advertisements, would be followed at the appropriate stages.

He argued that initial discussions with residents were necessary to ensure any formal process reflects the aspirations of the community.

The Lands CEC also urged residents to elect representatives from among women, youth and elders to spearhead discussions with the government, saying meaningful negotiations could not be conducted with hundreds of people at once.

"We are not choosing leaders for you. Select people you trust to represent you. They will relay whatever is agreed upon back to the community," he said.

Amadoh further cautioned residents against allowing politics to interfere with the land ownership process, warning that some leaders could exploit the issue for personal gain ahead of elections.

"Land ownership is about people's lives. Let us not turn it into politics. If we work together, we shall succeed," he said.

He said the county government, under Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, was committed to finding an amicable solution to the land problem and urged residents to embrace dialogue to avoid delaying the process.

Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL) has announced the "Form Imejipa Na County" consumer promotion that will see prizes worth over Sh35 million shillings awarded to consumers who participate in the campaign. 

Through the Promotion, eligible participants stand the chance to win Sh1 million cash, Pool Tables, Phones, Laptops or a Content Creator Kit in monthly draws.

On a weekly basis, Motor Bikes, Shopping Vouchers or Instant Cash Rewards of up to Sh10,000 will be available.

Daily instant prizes of airtime will also be available through scratch and win opportunities in the Promotion for County Brandy that is running from 4th June 2026 to 31st August 2026.

“County has built a strong base among Kenyans who are enterprising, hardworking and who place a high premium on quality for value. We want to celebrate their entrepreneurial spirit and reward their loyalty to our brand,” said Alice Mwalimo, Commercial Director, KWAL.

Participants need to purchase 750ml and 250ml of County Brandy, scratch the label panel to reveal the entry code and submit it by dialling the toll free USSD code *459*9# on their mobile phones.

The campaign, which was officially launched on Wednesday by KWAL, celebrates the resilience and entrepreneurial mindset of County’s core market segment who are widely regarded as the engine of Kenya’s economic growth and enduring prosperity. 

KWAL is rolling out the campaign nationwide with county-level activations spread across its duration.

"KWAL’s relationship with hospitality establishments, retailers and wholesalers are critically important to our brands’ success. We recognise them as the cultural spaces where our County experience comes to life for our consumer. We have planned various activities to ensure we embed responsible consumption even as we launch this national campaign,” said Ms. Mwalimo.

The development complements the company’s growing portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages which are either imported or manufactured locally.

“This Promotion recognises the value of responsible production in line with our commitment to continue producing a wide range of quality products locally, enrich employment opportunities and celebrate our heritage,” she added.

KWAL’s portfolio currently includes: Heineken, Windhoek, Desperados, Kingfisher, Hunter’s Dry Cider, Hunter’s Gold Cider, Savanna Dry, Savanna Angry Lemon, Kibao Vodka, Kibao Gin, Caribia Flavoured Gin, County, Hunter’s Choice Whiskey, Amarula, Viceroy, Nederburg Wines, Durbanville Hills Wines, 4th Street Wines, J.C. le Roux, Caprice Wines and Casa Buena Wines; as well as the non-alcoholic variants Heineken 0.0, Savanna 0.0 and Chamdor.

Car & General has introduced a new Piaggio LPG-powered three-wheeler in Kenya, the Paiggio Ape NXT+ LPG, offering a smarter, cleaner, and more cost-efficient mobility solution for urban transport operators.

Designed with today’s cost-conscious and environmentally aware operator in mind, the new LPG model delivers significant fuel savings of over 30 percent compared to conventional petrol-powered three-wheelers.

This translates directly into lower daily running costs and higher earnings, making it an attractive option for last-mile transport and delivery businesses across Kenya.
With rising fuel prices continuing to put pressure on operators, the Piaggio LPG three-wheeler provides immediate economic relief. The reduced fuel consumption ensures lower daily expenditure on fuel, higher take-home income for drivers and faster return on investment for owners and fleet operators.

The launch took place at Car & General in Nairobi and was officiated by Vijay Gidoomal, the CEO of Car & General and Tobias Alando, the CEO of Kenya Association of Manufacturers.
“This new LPG three-wheeler is designed to put more money into the pockets of our operators,” said Vijay Gidoomal. “With fuel savings of over 30 percent, operators can significantly lower their running costs and ultimately increase their daily earnings, making their businesses more sustainable.”

Beyond cost savings, the LPG-powered engine offers a more sustainable alternative. The vehicle produces cleaner emissions with fewer harmful pollutants, supporting efforts to improve urban air quality.

It also delivers a quieter engine operation, enhancing driver comfort while reducing noise pollution - an increasingly important consideration in densely populated urban areas like Nairobi.

“Transitioning to LPG is an important step towards cleaner urban mobility,” said Tobias Alando. “This technology reduces harmful emissions while also offering a quieter ride, which improves both the operator’s experience and the urban environment.”

While LPG presents clear benefits, the number of fueling stations in Nairobi remains limited. However, industry stakeholders expect this to expand steadily with growing adoption of LPG-powered mobility solutions.

“The best has best-in-class mileage,” Vijay noted. “It comes with 20.6-liter LPG and 2.8-liter petrol tank, maximum power of 11.3 horse power, maximum torque Nm (newton-meter), with 30% grade-ability. It has a stylish front fascia, music system and extra space for passenger comfort.”

The launch of the Piaggio LPG three-wheeler reflects Car & General’s continued commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic empowerment across East Africa.
“We are committed to bringing practical, forward-looking mobility solutions to the market,” said Vijayi. “The Piaggio LPG three-wheeler is a clear demonstration of how innovation can deliver both economic and environmental value.”

As cities continue to evolve, solutions that combine affordability, environmental responsibility, and operational efficiency will play a critical role in shaping the future of mobility.
Car & General is celebrating 90 years in business and over two decades of partnership with Piaggio.

As part of its sustainability and green mobility journey, it launched the Piaggio three-wheeler electric vehicle in 2024.

Mombasa County has registered a significant increase in its own-source revenue, collecting Sh4.8 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, up from Sh4.5 billion in 2023/24 and Sh3.9 billion in 2022/23.

Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir revealed the figures while appearing before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) in Nairobi, where he credited the growth to improved revenue management systems, stronger enforcement measures, and enhanced collection strategies implemented by the county government.

According to the governor, the revenue gains were achieved without introducing new taxes or levies, demonstrating the effectiveness of ongoing reforms aimed at boosting local revenue generation.

Members of the committee, led by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, commended the county for the steady growth but called for greater efforts to address persistent challenges affecting some key revenue streams.

One of the areas of concern was land rates collection, which generated Sh883 million against a target of Sh1.4 billion during the financial year under review.

Governor Nassir attributed the shortfall to difficulties in enforcement, resistance from some property owners, and reliance on a valuation roll that has not been updated since 1991.

He dismissed claims that revenue leakages within the collection system could have contributed to the deficit, emphasizing that the county operates a fully automated revenue collection platform linked directly to its banking systems.

"The system is automated and integrated with our bank accounts, making it impossible for payments to be made without being captured within the system,” Nassir told the committee.

The county also failed to meet its cess revenue target after collecting Sh520 million against a projected Sh780 million.

Despite the shortfall, the amount reflected an improvement from the Sh503 million realized in the previous financial year.

The governor explained that disruptions and the relocation of several cess collection points affected performance during the period.

Senator Kajwang’ observed that land rates continue to be among the most difficult revenue sources for counties to collect and remain a major contributor to outstanding revenue arrears.

The committee encouraged the county administration to strengthen compliance and enforcement measures to unlock additional revenue and sustain the upward trend in local collections.

Traders at Kongowea Market have welcomed the installation of free Wi-Fi by Nyali parliamentary aspirant Said Abdallah, describing the initiative as a major boost to their businesses and daily operations.

Speaking during the launch, traders said the free internet service will enable them to market and sell their products online, expanding their customer reach while reducing operational costs.

Mutisya Nyaike, a trader at the market, hailed the initiative as a game changer for the business community.

"This will help our traders sell their products online and connect with more customers. It is a game changer for us and we really appreciate it. We will stand with him in 2027 because he has shown that he understands our needs," said Nyaike.

Another trader, Njeri Mwangi, noted that the free Wi-Fi would ease the financial burden of purchasing internet bundles.

"We will no longer be buying bundles. Some of us used to spend up to Ksh200 on internet bundles, and this service will help us save money while remaining connected to our customers," she said.

The free Wi-Fi project is expected to benefit hundreds of traders operating at Kongowea Market, one of the largest open-air markets in the Coast region.

Traders expressed optimism that improved internet access will enhance digital trade, communication, and access to market information.

Said Abdallah said the initiative is part of his commitment to empowering small-scale traders through technology and creating opportunities for economic growth within Nyali Constituency.

The project has been widely welcomed by traders, who believe it will improve business efficiency and strengthen the market's competitiveness in the digital economy.

Mombasa County today joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Environment Day with a major tree-planting exercise aimed at addressing climate change, reducing urban heat, and promoting environmental conservation.

Speaking during the event, Mombasa County Chief Sustainability Officer Basil Anaya said the county is increasingly experiencing environmental challenges, particularly rising temperatures and flooding, which require collective action from all stakeholders.

"We appreciate the environmental challenges facing Mombasa today. The main challenges are heat and flooding, and we are trying to figure out how to reduce heat in the city by planting more trees," said Agaga.

He noted that trees play a critical role in lowering temperatures, improving air quality, and enhancing the city's resilience to climate change.

"Trees will help reduce temperatures in Mombasa. Together, we acknowledge that we can only act collectively in dealing with these challenges," he added.

Agaga revealed that the county plans to plant a total of 127 trees, with more than half being planted along some of Mombasa's busiest streets during the World Environment Day celebrations.

Beyond tree planting, he emphasized the need for residents to take personal responsibility for environmental conservation, particularly in waste management.

"Waste management is not entirely a government function. We all need to take it as our responsibility. Just as planting trees is our responsibility, we also need to take responsibility for proper waste disposal," he said.

Representing Midela Organisation, Mitchelle Masai called for stronger community participation in environmental conservation efforts, noting that sustainable environmental management can only be achieved through partnerships between government, civil society, and residents.

"Environmental conservation requires collective responsibility. Every resident has a role to play, whether it is planting trees, managing waste responsibly, or supporting initiatives that protect our environment," said Masai.

The World Environment Day celebrations brought together county officials, environmental organizations, community groups, and residents, all united in promoting a greener and more sustainable Mombasa.

This year's activities highlighted the importance of urban greening, climate resilience, and citizen participation in safeguarding the environment for future generations.

The County Government of Mombasa has reaffirmed its commitment to improving road safety through increased investment, public awareness, and enhanced stakeholder collaboration during the launch of the Fourth Mombasa Road Safety Campaign.

The campaign, dubbed "You control the speed. Speed controls the outcome," highlights the dangers of speeding and seeks to encourage safer road user behavior.

It was developed with support from global health organization Vital Strategies under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS).

Speaking during the media launch, Mombasa County Chief Officer for Transport and Infrastructure, Sharif, said the county has made significant progress since embarking on the road safety journey in 2021.

"We have been in this journey since 2021 and there have been gradual milestones that have been achieved. We started as a small working group but have been able to scale it up strategically. Our partnership with Bloomberg has been very fruitful," he said.

Sharif reiterated the county government's commitment to strengthening road safety interventions across Mombasa.

"I want to commit to our partners that the County Government of Mombasa is fully committed to road safety, and we are going to ensure that moving forward we allocate more budget and human resources towards achieving this mission," he stated.

He called on all stakeholders to continue sensitizing members of the public on responsible road use to reduce accidents and fatalities.

"It is important for all of us as stakeholders to insist on the importance of road safety to avoid crashes and even deaths. Every road user has a responsibility to ensure our roads are safer," he added.

The Chief Officer also raised concerns over non-compliance with traffic regulations among boda boda riders, particularly regarding traffic lights and road signs.

"When we launched our traffic lights, it took time for people to understand and adapt. However, many boda boda riders have refused to comply. We have agreed with the leadership that the county government will sponsor refresher courses for boda boda operators by taking them back to driving schools for training," he said.

Sharif further revealed that the county government would engage the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to assist riders who lack valid driving licences.

"For those without licences, we will engage NTSA and see how we can help them acquire the necessary documentation and training," he noted.

Speaking at the event, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Coast Regional Director Engineer Michael Orege lauded the initiative and called for its expansion across the country.

"We hope that this campaign can be escalated to other counties so that we have a nationwide campaign. This campaign is timely and very crucial in addressing the challenge of road crashes associated with speeding," said Orege.

Road safety stakeholders attending the launch emphasized the need for sustained public education, stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, and stronger partnerships to reduce road traffic injuries and deaths in Mombasa and across the country.

The campaign comes amid growing concerns over speeding-related crashes, which continue to claim lives and cause serious injuries on Kenyan roads.

Through targeted awareness messages, the initiative seeks to remind motorists that the speed they choose directly influences the outcome of every journey.