Malindi Municipality
Introduction
It is believed that about 50% population of Malindi live in the urban area and those urban centers drive economic growth and offers economies of scale in productivity and public investments; they are social melting pots, centers of innovation and derivers of social change.
Data from studies around the world show a clear correlation between levels of income and levels of urbanization. If urban areas are well managed, they serve as engines of growth and provide the people with better job opportunities, modern infrastructure, recreation, improved health care facilities, housing, safety and social development in general.
It is through the Urban Areas and Cities Act (UACA 2012 as amended) that the provisions of the Constitution and the County Government Act (Section 48) with regards to urban governance are operationalized areas being granted municipal or city status. The Municipality of Malindi was awarded the Municipality status in October, 2018 and the Municipality Charter granted by His Excellency Governor in the year 2019.
The UACA states unequivocally that the management of municipalities remain vested in the in the County Government, but shall be administered, on its behalf, by a Board, appointed by the Governor, that oversees the operations by an urban manager and its staff as determined by the County Public Service.
The history of Malindi is well documented as a town which was a very vibrant tourist destination with good infrastructure and a well-managed service delivery system. In the year 2001, Malindi was declared the cleanest town in Kenya and runner up in 2003. For this achievement, the town was nominated to represent Kenya at the UN HABITAT World Urban Forum in Barcelona, Spain and in 2004 it received a Gold Award from Total Oil Kenya Eco Challenge for its commendable environmental hygiene.
- During these good years, the town was a very popular tourist destination and a choice holiday destination of many local as well as international visitors
- The economy was very vibrant with a 24 hour economy mainly in the hospitality industry, the entertainment sector, fishing and agriculture in the peripheries which used to feed the high demand from the many in the peripheries
Over the years however and in particular the late 2000s, the environmental situation coupled with matters of insecurity and others combined to make the town lose its coveted status with hotels and other businesses closing down.
With the dependence on tourism as the main source of employment and household earnings, thousands of jobs were lost when hotels closed while the agricultural and fishing products could not get the ready market they were used to.
The use of drugs and local crime cases soared while the infrastructure was falling to disrepair with the once vibrant economy becoming a pale shadow of itself. The town had filthy streets, uncontrolled dumping sites with residential areas dotted with overflowing bins, solid waste including plastics, roaming domestic animals, and all kinds of waste strewn all over.
The revival of the Municipality in 2018 raised the hope of the community and the atmosphere was pregnant with expectation that the economy will be fixed, the dilapidated infrastructure will be repaired and tourism will pick once again to take Malindi back to where it was in the glorious days.
In line with the vision of developing the urban area and our aspiration coupled with the community expectation of reawakening the economy and bring sustainable development to Malindi, the Municipality prepared FY 2020/ 2021 budget proposals with a major focus being on rehabilitation of the dilapidated infrastructure and urban renewal.
Municipality of Malindi Boundaries
The Municipality has inherited the boundaries in accordance to the Integrated Strategic Urban Development (ISUDP) plan of 2015 and covers the following Wards:
i) Shella
ii) Malindi Town
iii) Dabaso
iv) Ganda
v) Kakuyuni
vi) Jilore
vii) Sabaki
Municipality of Malindi Boundaries
The Municipality has inherited the boundaries in accordance to the Integrated Strategic Urban Development (ISUDP) plan of 2015 and covers the following Wards:
i) Shella
ii) Malindi Town
iii) Dabaso
iv) Ganda
v) Kakuyuni
vi) Jilore
vii) Sabaki
Objectives of the Municipality
a) Provide for efficient and accountable management of the affairs of the Municipality;
b) Provide for governance mechanism that will enable the inhabitants of the Municipality
c) Vigorously pursue developmental opportunities which are available in the Municipality and to institute all measures as are necessary for achieving public order and the provisions of civic amenities, so as to enhance the quality of life of the inhabitants of the Municipality;
d) Provide a high standard of social services in the cost effective manner to the inhabitants of the Municipality;
e) Promote social cohesiveness and a sense of civic duty and responsibility among the inhabitants and stakeholders in the Municipality in order to facilitate collective action and commitment towards achieving the goal of a harmonious and stable community;
f) Providing for services, by-laws and other matters for Municipality’s benefit;
g) Fostering the economic, social and environmental well-being of its community.
Functions of the Municipality
This Municipality performs the following functions within its boundaries:-
a) Promote, regulate and provide refuse collection and solid waste management services;
b) Promote and provide water and sanitation services and infrastructure (in areas within the Municipality not served by the Water and Sanitation Provider);
c) Construct and maintain urban roads and associated infrastructure;
d) Control and maintain storm water drainage and flood controls;
e) Construct and maintain walkways and other non-motorized transport
infrastructure;
f) Construct and maintain recreational parks and green spaces;
g) Construction and maintenance of street lightings;
h) Construct maintain and regulate traffic controls and parking controls and parking facilities;
i) Construct and maintain bus stands and taxi stands;
j) Regulation of outdoor advertising;
k) Construct, maintain and regulate municipal markets and abattoirs;
Board of Municipality of Malindi
The Board of Municipality of Malindi is composed of:
1. Mr. Geoffrey Kahindi Katsoleh – Interim Board Chairman
2. Hon. Maureen Mwangovya – Member (CECM LEHPP&UD)
3. Mr. Moses Munga Gunda – Member (CO HPP&UD)
4. Ms. Yvonne Mafunga – Member
5. Mr. Benjamin Sholo Kambi – Member
6. Mr. Johnson Kaviha Toya – Member
7. Ms. Sumayya Assad Hassan – Member
Municipality of Malindi Administration
Municipality of Malindi Administration
Since the Financial Year 2018/ 2019, the Municipality of Malindi has been enjoying financial support from the State department of Urban Development through the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) Urban Development Programme (UDG) and has since implemented the following projects:
1 Design build of Urban Renewal for the Malindi Waterfront public park and tourism infrastructure (2018/ 2019 FY)
Following the progressive dwindling socio economic fortunes of Malindi town, there was need to initiate a flagship project that will play a major role in reviving the tourism industry
The regeneration of the waterfront and other touristic infrastructure was therefore ranked as the much needed project that would make the town attractive and attract both foreign and domestic tourists.
Benefits of the project
- The rehabilitation and development of the site will revitalize the once thriving tourist destination and bring back the lost vibrancy to the town.
- The project will generate skilled and non-skilled employment opportunities for the people of Malindi
- The Municipality expects to generate revenue from the operations of the park, proceeding from the entrepreneurs and businesses to be operating within the vicinity of the Park.
- Malindi Municipality’s image is expected to get a face lift with the project marketing the Municipality as an attractive tourist destination.
- Enhancing environmental conservation by encouraging regular maintenance of the beach front resources.
2 Design build of commercial and non-motorized transport (NMT) street upgrading at Barani (2018/ 2019 FY)
Before the project was constructed, Thuva road was a rough, damaged dirt road with sections of it being impassable during the rainy season while during the dry season the area suffered dust pollution blown up by the motor vehicles passing through it.
The area was also not well lit at night and the security for the economic activities that were found there was not guaranteed and at the onset of darkness most shops and other business would close early.
To address this challenge and raise the socio economic status for the inhabitants of the road, the NMT project was mooted.
Benefits of the project
- Increased business opportunities created by the extended business hours and conducive environment
- The general aesthetics of the area shall be highly boosted and the neighborhood made pleasant to live in
- Security shall be enhanced due to the enhanced activities and street lights
Property value along the road shall be appreciate - The area shall be opened up to new businesses and investors attracted by the attractive street
3 Design build of drainage works at Barani
The Malindi CBD lies on low ground in comparison to the outlying areas of Kisumu Ndogo and Majengo which slope towards the town and the runoff during the rainy season contributes towards the perennial flooding especially at the roundabout
This project was therefore identified as part implementation of the Malindi drainage master plan undertaken by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in 2013.
Benefits of the project
- It will lead to alleviation of the perennial flooding that has been a major hindrance to pedestrian and vehicular traffic
- Improved status and motorability of the road which
- The project shall reduce the damage to the road infrastructure and private
property - Curbing of the flooding shall ensure growth of a conducive business environment that shall also see property value along the road appreciate
- The conducive business environment shall attract new investors
During the FY 2020/ 2021, the following projects were proposed for implementation through the KUSP grant
4 Upgrade of the Barclays Mtangani road to bitumen standard
This road covers a distance of 800 meters connecting from the Mombasa Lamu highway A7 to Paradise hotel and for a long time has been in a state of disrepair.
It mainly serves a residential area with several middle class hotels, health facilities as well as other businesses and also is the main road used by the local prison to and from the Court.
During the rainy season, several areas of the road became impassable with swamps of stagnant rain water forming and staying up to six months after the rains recede.
There was demand for upgrade of the road due to the dilapidated state of the murram road that existed and the loss of business.
Benefits of the project
- The area will be easily accessible to both human and vehicular traffic
- Businesses in the area will grow as clients are able to access the area without so much threat of damage to their vehicles
- There shall be an increase in the number of tourist both foreign and local seeking accommodation and other services in the area
- The value of property in the area shall increase
- The perennial flooding and stagnation of water shall be addressed by the 4 vertical and open drains that is a component of the project
- The area will be well lit as street lights will be erected as part of the project components
5 Solid waste recycling project at Casuarina
The Municipality generates an average of 105 tonnes of garbage which due to lack of proper infrastructure and facilities has been a challenge to manage in terms of regular collection and disposal thus posing a potential health risk and environmental hazard.
Uncontrolled waste disposal and irregular collection has contributed to making the town dirty and unappealing to investors and tourists alike which in turn has seen a downturn in the socio-economic well-being of the community.
As the service provision entity charged with the responsibility of ensuring a clean and healthy environment with proper solid waste disposal and collection, the Municipality of Malindi plans to implement the solid waste recycling project at the existing Casuarina dumpsite.
Benefits of the project
- It will create a source of income for the scavengers and other solid waste collectors
- It will help reduce the waste that is taken to the dumpsites from the households
- It will make the town clean and environmentally friendly
- It will create employment opportunities for the people who shall be employed
at the recycling facility - Many investors and tourists shall be attracted to the town due to its cleanliness and a livable environment
6 Augmentation of the storm water drainage at Shella
As stated earlier on, the storm water drainage projects in the FY 2018/ 2019 together with this one proposed for the FY 2020/ 2021 are meant to implement the Malindi drainage master plan in phases.
This phase of the project starts off at Barani but the larger section is in Shella ward.
This part of the project aims at expanding the drainage from the roundabout all the way to Lawfords Hotel and onto the sea.
Its benefits are as enumerated earlier in the storm water drainage at Barani.
Benefits of the project
- The rehabilitation and development of the site will revitalize the once thriving tourist destination and bring back the lost vibrancy to the town.
- The project will generate skilled and non-skilled employment opportunities for the people of Malindi
- The Municipality expects to generate revenue from the operations of the park, proceeding from the entrepreneurs and businesses to be operating within the vicinity of the Park.
- Malindi Municipality’s image is expected to get a face lift with the project marketing the Municipality as an attractive tourist destination.
- Enhancing environmental conservation by encouraging regular maintenance of the beach front resources.
Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) programme
Apart from the KUSP programme, the Municipality of Malindi is privileged to partner with the SUED programme for the development of the urban area.
SUED is a £60 million, five-year programme supported by the British Government through the Department for International Development (DFID). The programme is supporting Malindi following a competitive selection process which involved all the 59 and where 10 fast growing municipalities were selected to develop sustainable urban economic plans and attract investment for critical infrastructure and value chain projects.
The specific technical and financial support to the Municipality will be in the form of:
a. Urban Economic Planners to work with the Municipality to develop an integrated and sustainable urban economic development plan and identify key climate-resilient infrastructure and value chain projects with the highest potential to spur inclusive urban growth.
b. Investment Climate Advisers to help the Municipality to improve the policy and regulatory environment, to incentivise private sector led urban growth.
c. Investment Experts to help the Municipality develop and implement investment promotion strategies to draw in investment to fund commercially bankable climate-resilient infrastructure and value chain projects identified in their urban economic plans.
d. Capacity Building Specialists to support priorities identified in the urban economic plans and, enhance the capacity of the municipality to continue managing increased activity even after the project ends.
e. Seed Grant Funding for infrastructure and value chain development. This will be a conditional grant which will not flow through the Government of Kenya (GoK) systems. The exact amount and nature of the funding is not known at this time and cannot be guaranteed.
The Seed Grant Funding will need to be recognised in the County budget as a conditional grant along with any other contribution that the County will be making whether in cash or in-kind.
As indicated above, the technical assistance to be offered following the development of the urban economic plans will be provided by the investment firm, investment climate firm and the capacity building experts. The respective firms contracted will provide their scope of work and work plan as and when required and the Municipality will be required to work in collaboration with Coffey and these firms to achieve the programme objectives.
An Urban Economic Development Plan was developed by ATKINS, a consulting firm which will give direction on the implementation of a development strategy.
Presently, the programme is at the Capacity building stage where a consultancy company ACAL (Apex Consulting Africa Limited) is at the stage of preparing its report after conducting a capacity needs assessment of the Municipality in October, 2020.
Projects and programmes supported by the County Government of Kilifi
The County Government under the stewardship of HE Governor Amason Jefwa Kingi has been very supportive of the Municipality in terms of budgetary support and in the current financial year 2020/ 2021 the Municipality of Malindi has proposed to undertake the following development projects:
a) Refurbishment of the Municipal hall
b) Provision and installation of solid waste garbage bins
c) Urban greening of the stretch from the Malindi International Airport to the
roundabout
d) Maintenance of roads and replacement of broken cabros
e) Construction and maintenance of parking slots
f) Rehabilitation of street furniture
g) Erection of billboards and signage for messaging
h) Construction of solid waste receptacles
i) Provision of modern, mobile micro business stalls
j) Maintenance of street and mass lights
k) Provision of modern, mobile micro business stalls
l) Provision of sports uniforms and other equipment
It is envisaged that the implementation of these projects shall set a foundation for the urbanization agenda takeoff and meeting the aspirations of the people of Malindi.
Conclusion
The Municipality of Malindi is set out to provide urban governance that will strive to ensure the efficient and effective service delivery to the community as mandated by the Urban Areas and Cities Act and the Municipality of Malindi Municipal Charter.