By H, KNA
Residents and business people say the recent upgrade of Kwale town to municipal status is heralding urban transformation.
Those interviewed by KNA say they are witnessing improvements in infrastructure such as roads, streetlights and other social services in the hilly town that dates back to the colonial era.
The ongoing construction of the Affordable Housing Project (AHP) championed by the national government taking shape and featuring modern high-rise units will also change the face of Kwale town.
Already the Sh450 million state-of-the-art Kwale sports stadium commissioned in October 2024 has already elevated the status of Kwale to a position befitting county headquarters.
Led by businessman Geoffrey Muriuki, they said they anticipate better access to water and sanitation, better drainage, enhanced power connectivity, increased social status and secure land tenure for business persons.
Muriuki says the once sleepy town which sits next to the Shimba Hills National Reserve is experiencing modernity and witnessing a remarkable change thanks to its recent elevation to municipality status by the county government.
The businessman says the municipal status is serving as a catalyst for socio-economic growth, boosting local businesses and attracting investment.
He says the town once characterized by poor roads, garbage-filled streets, stagnant water, and a collapsing infrastructure is now a thriving hub of commerce, modern infrastructure, and urban vibrancy.
“Looking at the state of businesses now, we can say there has been significant achievement. The roads are good, and we now have market lights, streetlights which help us a lot, especially in the evenings,” said Muriuki, one of many who have benefited from the changes.
Ali Hamisi, a cereals trader, says road enhancements are crucial for reducing travel time and improving the overall safety of lives that would have otherwise been lost to accidents due to dilapidated roads before.
“Kwale was a place where you could not even tell where the drainage went. Garbage was everywhere; there was a terrible smell, and dirt was piled up. Our small roads were basically footpaths,” recalls Mwanarusi Saria, Director of Kuriradzulu Women Limited, a community-based cleaning company.
She said the change began when the county government upgraded the town to municipal status, unlocking new development plans and creating a favorable business environment.
Modern cabro-paved and tarmacked roads, such as the stretch from Kwale Wildlife Services to Chitsanze, the installation of street and flood lights, and the revamping of public spaces, including the Sh30 million Kwale recreational park, have given the town a facelift and improved security, allowing business activities to operate at night.
Mwanaharusi says substantial improvements to the existing road networks into bitumen standards have further contributed to smooth urban connectivity.
She said streetlight and floodlight installations have allowed small scale traders to thrive during the night time to increase their income.
“For many years, this town had stagnated, but I believe you have all seen the positive changes happening. Even businesses are expanding,” said Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani.
Governor Achani says the town, which is home to over 10,000 residents, is witnessing a boom in entrepreneurship, as over 500 small-scale traders now operate within its growing economy.
Achani says Kwale town is one of four urban centers, along with Diani, Kinango, and Lunga Lunga, that have recently been upgraded to municipal status seeking to drive sustainable urbanization, attract investment, and enhance the quality of life across the region.
Of the four municipalities, Diani municipality has emerged as the economic powerhouse of Kwale reflecting significant growth over the past two decades attributed to its tourism potential.
Governor Achani noted that the tarmacking of roads within Kwale town will revive the tourism sector as more tourists will be visiting the Shimba Hills national reserve that falls within the new municipality.
“As a county, we have vowed to deliver services to our people through development agendas and projects,” she said, adding that Kwale has the potential for eco-tourism.
Achani said the Kwale municipality has so far completed projects like the cabro paving of Methodist – police station- Posta road, Posta- Masjid Muadh road, beautification of a recreational park at Baraza park, and installation of floodlights at new Kwale bus park.
She says with the infrastructure upgrades the devolved government hopes to attract investors in real estate and tourism which is gaining traction into Kwale town transforming it into a vibrant economic hub.
According to Kwale Municipality Manager Mwanawani Sheti, the upgrades have not only improved business but also changed perceptions of the people about the town.
“People used to say Kwale is a sleepy town, but now Kwale is vibrant and alive. Everyone is coming, investors, tourists, and entrepreneurs,” she posed.
The town’s rebirth has not just been about roads and lights; environmental conservation and sanitation have been major priorities, with significant involvement from women and youth-led companies.
Organizations like Kuriradzulu Women Limited and Kudzecha from Tsimba Golini ward have been awarded cleaning contracts by the county government, creating jobs and transforming the town’s hygiene standards.
“We unclogged drains, cleared bushes, and landscaped with flowers. Kwale is now clean, not like before,” said Mwanaharusi, reflecting on their journey since winning their first government tender in October 2024.