Kilifi

Kilifi is a town on the coast of Kenya, 56 kilometres (35 mi) northeast by road of Mombasa. The town lies on the Kilifi Creek and sits on the estuary of the Goshi River.[2] Kilifi is capital of the Kilifi County and has a population of 122,899 (2009 census[1]).

Not to be confused with Kilifi County.
Kilifi
Town Council
Kilifi
Location in Kenya
Coordinates: 3°38′S 39°51′E
Country Kenya
CountyKilifi County
Population
 (2009)
 • Total122,899[1]
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Kilifi is known for its beach and for the ruins of Mnarani, including mosques and tombs, dating from the 14th to the 17th century.

Geography and climate

Kilifi town sits on both sides of the estuary and are linked by the Kilifi Bridge which overlooks the estuary.[2] The south side has the Mnarani ruins and Shauri Moyo beach while the north side is the main part of Kilifi Town and Bofa Beach.

The weather is generally warm throughout the year (above 25 °C) with two seasons of moderate rainfall (about 800–1000 mm). Long periods of rain start around March and last into July, while the short periods start around October and last until December.

The terrain is generally flat with sandy-loamy soils. Common trees include Cocos nucifera, Anacadium occidentale, Azadirachta indica, and Mangifera indica.

Demographics

Kilifi is a cosmopolitan town with mixed ethnic groups. The predominant inhabitants (about 80%) are from the Mijikenda groups (mainly Giriama and Chonyi).[3] Other groups include the Swahili-Arab descendants, Barawas, Bajunis, Somalis as well as other groups from inland. There is a handful of Indians, and Europeans, mainly British, German and Italian.

Economy
Dhows in Kilifi Creek

Like every coastal town, fishing in Kilifi is one of the historical economic activities. With time, the town has slowly been transforming from a fishing village to basic industrial and service.

The growth of the town was mainly fuelled by the cashew nut milling factory between 1976 and 1990; the district has been a producer of cashews since 1930.[4] The town almost became a ghost town when the factory was closed due to decline in nuts supply, mismanagement of the factory and increased global competition. Other industrial activities include milk processing at Kilifi Plantations.

Since 2008 with the transformation of the Kilifi institute of Agriculture into Pwani University There has been substantial expansion of the service sector as a result of this. Banking activity has been growing with about 7 banks (KCB, Barclays, Postbank, Imperial, Equity, Co operative, Diamond Trust Bank and most recent National Bank) as well as microfinance institutions. Retail business and hotels have historically been significant economic activities. 3 to 4 star hotels include Mnarani Club, Kilifi Bay Beach Resort[5] and Baobab Lodge.

Health

The Kilifi County Hospital, which is also a referral hospital, serves all of Kilifi County, and also supports the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme,[6] a large medical research center collaborative between Kenya's KEMRI and the British Wellcome Trust, known for its work on malaria and bacterial and viral childhood infections. Several other private clinics can be found here. The Khairat Medical Centre which was recently opened is equipped with modern laboratory, x-ray and scan machines with qualified personnel is situated in the Mtaani area of Sokoni Sb-Location opposite Masjid Hudaa.

Notable organizations

Kilifi is home to several notable organizations, including:

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References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-07-29. Retrieved 2016-07-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Weiss, Robert; Bahlburg, Heinrich (2006). "The Coast of Kenya Field Survey after the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami". Earthquake Spectra. 22 (S3): S235–S240. doi:10.1193/1.2201970.
  3. Wekesa, E.; Mwangi, W.; Verkuijl, H. Adoption of Maize Production Technologies in the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya. CIMMYT. p. 6. ISBN 978-970-648-099-6.
  4. Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard). 5 July 2006. p. 11.
  5. Kenya. Lonely Planet. 13 August 2008. p. 287. ISBN 978-1-74220-355-3.
  6. "KEMRI Wellcome Trust". KEMRI Wellcome Trust. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
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