Diani’s award winning beaches and resorts, over the past two years suffering from a serious downturn in tourist arrivals, faces additional challenges too from unscrupulous developers and in particular of late the threat of destroying the beaches through dredging of sand.Without the advocacy of the South Coast Resident’s Association the latter issue would probably have resulted in some extensive beach and reef damage already and SCRA deserves a pat on the back for their hard work. Thanks Luciana for your tireless campaigns, advocacy and resistance towards hare brained schemes and attempts to commit environmental crimes which would seriously impact on the quality of the Diani Beaches.
SOUTH COAST RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 5672, Diani Beach 80401 – Kenya
Website: www.scra-kenya.org
Chair email: chair Tel: 0720 440360
Secretary: secretary Tel: 0788 536222
Like us on FACE BOOK (The South Coast Residents’ Association) for regular updates
THANK YOU BASE TITANIUM FOR SPONSORING THE PHOTOCOPYING. AS ALWAYS, MUCH APPRECIATED.
NEWSLETTER ISSUE NUMBER 059–
JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2015
This issue is sponsored by SCRA and Base Titanium
If you wish to sponsor a Newsletter please contact: chair
A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE CHAIR:
Sorry for the late Newsletter, but most, if not all our time has been taken attending meetings etc. in trying to stop the sand dredger/harvester from destroying our magnificent and unique Ocean and beaches. – Read more on next page with an update. However, what I cannot understand is that although the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway is an extremely important project for Kenya, NO CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN MADE THAT KWALE COUNTY IS PART OF KENYA and a great majority of income comes from investors, the hotel industry and of course tourism. If the China Road & Bridge Corporation (Kenya) is allowed to sand harvest from our Ocean, the people who will suffer from this are many. It will not only be the above mentioned but the chain is long…..the fish sellers, the fruit and vegetable sellers, the egg sellers, the kiosks and so on, as no tourist will want to come to spend their holidays on a rocky beach (from the sand being returned to the Ocean to fill the gaps where sand has been removed), no fresh fish to eat, no snorkeling and diving, etc. Once again I reiterate, keep on supporting us, our Governor H.E. Salim Mvurya and our County Government who have done and are doing so much to promote Kwale County not only for tourism but to encourage investors to come here, and say NO to sand dredging/harvesting along our Coasts.
Introducing the FREQUENT FLYER BONUS – go to: www.flysafarilink.com and register.
UPDATE ON THE SAND HARVESTER/DREDGER
Many have been following the saga of the much unwanted sand dredger/harvester which is threatening our beautiful ocean and world famous South Coast beaches. You might be aware that Diani has again, for the second time, been voted as Africa’s best beach.
Some of the Committee and the Chair have been attending several meetings to strategies on ways and means of blocking the proposed sand dredging/harvesting from destroying our Ocean and beaches by China Road & Bridge Corporation. The SCRA lawyer, Mr Felix Midikira, representing both SCRA and Kwale County Natural Resources Network (KCNRN), filed a petition to the National Environmental Tribunal (NET) with the view of having the NEMA licence revoked. Both NEMA and China Road & Bridge Corporation have been enjoined in the petition and have already been served with stop orders to stop sand dredging/harvesting in the proposed areas (Likoni to Tiwi through Waa) until the matter is heard and determined by the Tribunal.
This dramatic photo taken by Coastal Microlights has done the rounds of the word.
Meanwhile, two of our Committee Members, Onesmus Macharia and Charles Kamau had travelled to Nairobi together with Sam Ikwaye the Executive Officer of KAHC, who had been summoned by the National Assembly Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, this being further to petitions made. The three presented a strong position before the committee and requested the committee to come to the ground to listen to the concerns of the wider stakeholders as all of them could not travel to Nairobi On August 14th the above committee travelled to Diani for a stakeholders meeting. Also present was Elias Kimaru of WWF and representatives from KEMFRI as well as other groups and stakeholders. It was a good meeting with everyone sharing their views with KEMFRI giving an excellent representation and the finale came from our County Executive for Tourism, Hon Adam Sheikh speaking on behalf of our Governor, H.E. Salim Mvurya and the people of Kwale County. We all left the meeting feeling good and optimistic while we await the feedback from Nairobi.
The National Assembly Committee on Environment and NaturalResources, Chairperson the Hon. Amina Abdalla, M.P. who were accompanied by our County Commissioner, Bwana Achoki.
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LOOK WHAT WE HAVE IN DIANI!!!! – AN ELECTRIC SHUTTLE BUS!!!
A great and original idea by Baharini Plaza: A 100% electric car to shuttle tourists for free from their hotel to Baharini Plaza for a three hour shopping spree around Diani.
What a wonderful way to encourage them to explore Diani
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JET SKIS
While we have no objection to Jet Ski operators, it had been agreed that these should stay 300 meters from the beach frontage. Initially this rule was followed, but now they are back again with a vengeance, plying our ocean at full speed close to the beach. Not only do they disrupt our local fishermen’s work with no respect to their seines or fishing nets, but are dangerous for swimmers and snorkelers. SCRA receives a lot of complaints from both residents and hoteliers as this is an accident waiting to happen. They have even been seen going across the reef and chasing dolphins. Our question is, why can’t some operators respect the law, respect people and respect nature?
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NAME & SHAME
An adult female Sykes monkey and her baby were hit by a speeding red car along the Diani Beach Road, not even bothering to slow down or stop. The adult female sustained massive injuries and was rushed to the Colobus Conservation vet clinic where she is still undergoing treatment including surgery. The infant sustained minor injuries and was able to get back to the rest of the troop and being taken care of by members of her family. People don’t realize that actions such as this cost Colobus Conservation a huge amount of money which they can’t afford. We hope that the owner of the red car reads this and not only drivers carefully and a bit slower, but will have the courage to go to Colobus Conservation and help towards treatment expenses.
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COLOBUS CONSERVATION & THE BOOBY! A story with a happy ending!
In early March 2015 Colobus Conservation was called about a sea bird that had washed up on the beach of a nearby beach bar. On arrival we were handed a large cardboard box by the Manager and told in no uncertain terms to be careful! Upon opening the box we realized why we were given the warning. We were face to face with the razor sharp bill of what was later determined as a Masked Booby, which is a pelagic diving bird similar to a Gannet.
After assessing the Booby back at our vet clinic he was diagnosed as being severely under weight, exhausted and dehydrated. After a few days of force feeding, the Booby regained a little of his strength and started to eat on his own so we fitted out one of our rehab enclosures with suitable flooring and a paddling pool. The bird continued to improve and gain weight for the next four weeks before we decided to move onto the next phase and release it back to the wild. Unknown to us this was not going to be an easy process and took around six weeks of daily visits to the beach for the Booby to regain his ability to fly and to waterproof his feathers, as well as to learn how to fish on his own. A well wisher provided two monitors to stay on the beach every day with Booby. During this period he became quite the celebrity to tourists and locals alike flying further and further from shore but always coming back either by swimming or his preferred method of hitching a ride on his monitor’s surf board!
Early July 2015 he did his usual flight out to the reef, waited for the monitor to pick him up on the surf board and returned to shore. Instead of his usual preening and drying out, he looked at the two monitors and those who had helped with his rehabilitation as if to say “thanks guys for helping me and KWAHERI” and flew away over the horizon never to be seen by us again.
It was a real challenge and required a huge team effort (thank you Dr Jim Desmond for all the time, effort, swimming in a cold Ocean!) to reach this conclusion as the rehabilitation of sea birds was alien to us all and is far from easy. Unfortunately there is no centre in Kenya to rehabilitate sea birds so if another one turns up tomorrow we will feel obliged to take it on despite monkeys being our focus.
But the real funny conclusion to this story is that while Booby was with us we all complained about the amount of work he was giving us, but when he flew away we were all so sad and missed him!!!!
All photos courtesy of Jenny Desmond Photography
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KWALE EYE CENTRE
Staggered at how much you paid for
your spectacles?
Did you know that prescription spectacles are much cheaper in Kenya.. but of excellent quality?
Every Tuesday 2pm to 3.30p at the Charity Shop at Diani Beach Shopping Centre you can have a
Professional Eye Check and choose Classy Spectacles
They are then made at our optical workshop at Kwale Eye Centre and
the profit comes to Charity: Kwale Eye Centre
For more info please text: 0733 or 0722 785996
email: eyeskwale or come to the Charity Shop on
Tuesdays at 2pm
Moreover, Kwale Eye Centre now do a monthly eye screening at Msambweni Hospital on the last Wednesday morning of each month. People who need surgery come back with their vehicle to base for surgery
Here is the report so far for this year
At Msambweni in:
Jan 82 people seen, 5 cataracts done
Feb 94 people, 2 cataracts
March 60 people , no cataracts
April 54 people , no cataracts
May 72 people , 5 cataracts
June 38 people 3 cataracts
People are welcome to attend but they will be asked to contribute to the cost of their treatment.
At the moment Kwale Eye Centre pays the subsidy of costs with money raised or made from their services back at base, in Diani, Ukunda and Vijay.
In a bid to provide eye care and treatment to more and more people, Kwale Eye Centre has opened a small optical shop and clinic in Ukunda on Palm Avenue next to Lela bookshop.
Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm . Charge Ksh500 to be seen. Lots of nice spectacles to be made to your prescription for you.
However, please note that if you need surgery or a second opinion you may be asked to travel to the main Eye Centre.
Anyone who wishes to support some of the costs of offering these service are invited to donate to Kwale Eye Centre.
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SPIRULINA
One of the oldest life forms on Earth, spirulina is a blue-green micro algae that helped produce the oxygen in our atmosphere billions of years ago so that other life forms could appear. The original ‘superfood’, spirulina is so nutrient dense and highly digestible that you could survive on it and water alone. It is known that NASA researched spirulina as a food for space.
Spirulina has 60-70% complete protein, meaning it has all 8 essential amino acids and 10 non-essential ones that support good health. That’s more protein than beef, chicken or soybeans.
Spirulina is a source of vitality and life energy. Users of spirulina usually notice an increase in energy and overall health.
Spirulina is known for its high content of beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A, an essential nutrient needed for healthy immunity, mineral absorption, teeth, bones, mucous membranes, skin and eyes; it helps with glaucoma, cataracts and poor vision. It improves age spots, eczema, acne and rashes.
Spirulina also contains all the B vitamins including B12, vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin E, calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc.
Spirulina protects the brain and detoxifies the liver and kidneys. It balances pH to reduce inflammation, the root of much disease. It balances the immune system, including calming an overactive one, which is significant because overactive (or inflamed) immune systems are responsible for autoimmune diseases. It increases antioxidant protection, fights free radicals, fights the aging process, promotes weight loss, supports healthy cardiovascular function, improves the digestion process and gastrointestinal health, creates beneficial flora in the digestive tract and helps the body produce more red and white blood cells which kill germs and viruses. Studies have also shown that spirulina improves allergies and respiratory function and enhances exercise performance. Spirulina is also great for body builders and athletes as it can be taken before, during and after workouts as the dosages are so small.
Spirulina is also suitable for all ages.
Tiwani spirulina is grown organically and inside a controlled green house environment.
Spirulina, in capsules, is available in Diani at the Colobus Conservation gift shop.
If you suffer from allergies check with your doctor or on the Internet if you can take Spirulina.
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DIANI TURTLE WATCH (DTW)
Thanks to Arty and Cheryl of Tiwi, and the ladies attending Pilates at Les Schwartz, we managed to sponsor 2 more people to go to Watamu Turtle Watch (WTW) to learn more about turtles, how to protect them, their eggs and their hatchlings. So Saidi 1 from Tiwi and Saidi 2 from Diani have successfully qualified to be “monitors”. All the work carried out by our monitors is meticulously recorded be it turtles laying eggs, eggs to be translocated to protected areas, turtles caught in fishermen’s nets, dead turtles found on the beach, etc. All this information is passed to WTW and shared with KWS Senior Warden in Shimoni. On this note, we would like to thank Mr John Wambua, Senior Warden in Shimoni and all his team, who work closely with us and act so promptly to our distress calls especially when turtle eggs are stolen.
So far this year from January to June DTW has recorded 1,700 hatchlings in Diani Beach alone making it back to the Ocean. How many will ever survive, we do not know, but the percentage is extremely low as these poor little baby turtles are prey to everything in the Ocean, but we hope that the surviving ones will one day return to Diani to lay their eggs for the survival of the species.
Turtles found in the Indian Ocean are:
GREEN TURTLE – Swahili: KASA ZIWA – They feed on sea grass and algae – can weigh up to 220kg.
HAWKSBILL – Swahili : KASA NGAMBA – Feed on soft coral and sponges. Can weigh up to 80kg. CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.
OLIVE RIDLEY – Swahili : KASA KIGANGE – Omnivore : Can weigh up to 45kg.
LOGGERHEAD – Swahili : KASA DUVI – Eats crabs and lobsters – Can weigh up to 180kg.
LEATHERBACK – Swahili : KASA NGOZI – Largest of marine turtles. Can eat up to 1,000 jelly fish per day. Can dive up to 1,200 metres and hold their breath for one hour.
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MSAMBWENI COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITALImproving every day!
The Hospital was established in early 1940 as a dispensary. Since then the institution grew leading to the present structure that was put up in the 1990’s and officially opened on 23rd August 1997.
Msambweni Hospital became the Referral Hospital for the entire county in August 2013 and is now serving a population of 800,000 people, but with the health facilities at MCRH undergoing constant upgrades.
Kwale County has an estimated population of 750,000 people and a growing population with increasing need for specialized medical services. Many people lack access to high quality medical care, but now with the health facilities at Msambweni County Referral Hospital that problem has been eradicated.
TRANSFORMATION OF MSAMBWENI HOSPITAL IS A COMMUNAL RESPONSIBILITY
Mohamed Ali Mwachausa, Chairman Hospital Management Board
My relationship with Msambweni Hospital dates way back, actually 36 years back, on 14th October 1977, on a Friday night, when I was born, very healthy, at the hospital. Had I not had the privilege to be born there, significant chances are that I may have suffered several ailments related to child birth, or missed immunization against sensitive diseases. This makes Msambweni Hospital a very special place in my life.
Again, Msambweni Hospital came to my rescue in May 2003 when I was seeking attachment and research for my undergraduate project. I was given the opportunity of an attachment by Dr. Vincent Ochieng, the then Medical Superintendent. Again that makes Msambweni Hospital closer to my heart. Because of that, I am overly indebted to the hospital.
As fate, or merit, may have had it, on 27th April 2014, I was gazetted as chairman of the management board of the hospital, leading a very powerful team of board members who are not only proven leaders in their fields of work, but also very passionate about getting Msambweni Hospital on the map as the desired public medical destination in the entire Coast region. My heart sunk at the prospect of serving my own people, my uncles, my aunts, my brothers, sisters, cousins, in laws, and the people of Kwale where it critically mattered: health.
Our job as a board was not made easy by the many negative information and anecdotes inundating the community about the hospital. In fact, some of my close friends and partners went as far as advising me not to accept the offer to head the hospital as it would tarnish my reputation as a manager! Stories of multiple deaths occurring at the theatre, wanton negligence by staff, lack of drugs, incompetence of medical staff, run away corruption, just to mention but a few. Needless to say, the negative publicity had precipitated to levels of despair, with most community members terming the hospital as a death zone, with as loose sentiments as “Ukiingia pale theatre hutoki hai” (That no one comes out alive after a theatre operation at Msambweni Hospital).
However, when we started visiting the hospital as a board in May 2014, we started to understand the truth about what is critically ailing the facility. Some key observations included:
· The outcry about multiple maternity deaths, theatre deaths, may be a case of information hangover, because as it is, the data we have for maternity deliveries from January this year tell a different story altogether. Check this data: In January we had 262 births, no death; In February we had 276 births, only one deaths; In March we had 272 births, no deaths; in April we had 391 births, only 1 deaths; In May we had 386 births, 1 death, and in June we had 293 deliveries, with one death. So out of 1932 deliveries at the hospital so far this year, only five died. And the deaths are not fully attributed to negligence at the hospital, but some are late referrals from other dispensaries or health centres being referred to the hospital. Only two of the five cases were theatre deaths.
· That the hospital has been running with severe staff shortages over the years, and the current staff members were overworked beyond human limits. Out of 180 nurses, the hospital runs with less than 60 nurses. This being only 33% of the normal nursing capacity. This of course MUST have adverse effect on service delivery. The other departments are not very lucky either. For instance the catering department is only assisted by skilled casuals, the pharmacy department has less than adequate staff, the mortuary department lacks deployments, etc. So these are not caused by management incompetence, but rather because the national government had not deployed such staff for very long time.
· That the hospital’s deteriorating services did not start yesterday, but has been carried over and over again for generations, such that it would be unfair to put the blame wholly to the current management team, or staff, because quite a number of them are struggling to redirect the hospital to the promised land, and that will need significant time to clean all the mountains of mess that have been built for decades.
· That the current management team, was already doing a great job before our entry as board in May 2014.
What I can honestly say is that the hospital, especially now that it has been given the status of a County Referral Hospital, is way below the stature of a County referral facility. However, the negative publicity that has been in the air may be termed as a needless exaggeration of the true status.
Our take as a board is that this hospital is for the people. And for it to serve the people well, the people MUST contribute to its improvement. We must start caring for that hospital as a people. We must contribute ideas, opinions, and developmental feedback. We must not only criticize when we are wronged, but we must also appreciate those workers from the hospital whom we feel are doing a great job.
As a board we want to bring a positive change. We are not there to blame and accuse, we are there to motivate the staff to do a better job. As a start, we have started picking best performers and reward them on a monthly basis. We are seeking incentives to give our staff to lift their spirits. We are seeking support from well-wishers to contribute to our landscaping project and our efforts to set up a satellite bloodbank for the Kwale people.
More positives: The County Government has set aside funds to construct a maternity theatre, dedicated to our mothers and sisters, and also construction of an ICU and renal unit to increase the pool of service delivery to our people.
As a board, we have already engaged our partners, Kenya Red Cross, to start a culture of blood donation for the hospital every month. This is meant to save lives because right now the hospital depends on blood from the regional blood bank at Coast General Hospital, Mombasa.
So that the people may feel involved in improvement of the hospital, the board organized for a community clean-up day for the hospital in August 2014, where people from all walks of life came together, swept, scrub, slashed, cleaned the hospital. Thereafter, the community re-assembled and engaged the hospital management in addressing service delivery issues that have long saddened the clients.
So brothers and sisters, welcome to Msambweni Hospital. Come walk with us, contribute, help us transform the hospital. The board cannot do it alone. We need you.
HOSPITALI YETU, JUKUMU LETU. (Our hospital, our responsibility).
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M-PESA & SAFARICOM SCAMS
There are many scams and clever con artists trying to steal your money! One of the best examples is when you receive a text message informing you have just received an M-Pesa deposit. You then either get a call or text message saying it was sent to you in error, to please return that money. Before you send or “refund” money to any stranger dial *234# check your statement to ensure that you did in fact receive such money. If not – IT IS A SCAM.
Report the number that send you the fake M-Pesa.
If you get a call from “Safaricom Customer Care” stating that their records indicate your number has been registered more than once THIS IS A SCAM. All they want is your ID no. and more information about you. They then call Safaricom stating that their number, which in fact is yours, has been stolen and have it blocked. They then replace it with their details and access your M-Pesa or M-Shwari account and of course empty them!
These are just examples – but new ones pop up every day. Please be careful and don’t believe in everything you are told by total strangers.
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This is dedicated to all our readers who have had hip replacements!!!
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
I, together with my family and friends!, greatly and deeply thank you for the tremendous effort you are giving to saving our BEAUTIFUL DIANI, GALU AND SOUTH COAST BEACHES!!!
I loved the reports in the recent SCRA Newsletter (hear my applause?!) and the work you have done to bring in WWF and the NEMA report in consultations with Governor of Kwale Hon. Salim Mvurya. ( you’re now getting a STANDING OVATION!!!)
Susan
Thank you Susan – you make our efforts worthwhile!
Great newsletter as always!
Love the old lady joke!
Thanks,
Casper
FOR FUN
BAPTISING AN IRISHMAN
An Irish man is stumbling through the woods, totally drunk, when he comes upon a preacher baptizing people in the river. The drunk proceeds into the water, subsequently bumping into the preacher.
The preacher turns around and is almost overcome by the smell of alcohol, whereupon, he asks the drunk:
"Are you ready to find Jesus?"
The drunk shouts: "Yes, oi am."
So the preacher grabs him and dunks him in the water.
He pulls him back and asks: "Brother, have you found Jesus?"
The drunk replies: "No, oi haven’t found Jesus!"
The preacher, shocked at the answer, dunks him again but for a little longer.
He again pulls him out of the water and asks, "Have you found Jesus, me brother?"
The drunk answers, "No, oi haven’t found Jesus!"
By this time, the preacher is at his wits end and dunks the drunk again — but this time holds him down for about 30 seconds, and when he begins kicking his arms and legs about, he pulls him up.
The preacher again asks the drunk""For the love of God, have you found Jesus?"
The drunk staggers upright, wipes his eyes, coughs up a bit of water, catches his breath, and says to the preacher:
"Are you sure this is where he fell in"?
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‘THE DIANI BEACH COOK BOOK by Vanessa Atkins – Tel: 0722 145740
In aid of three charities, The East Africa Women’s League, KSPCA and the newly formed Diani Turtle Watch.
Available at: Peter the Vet; Shree Supermarket; Muthaiga Mini Market; Richard at IN-point (Barclay’s shopping center); Debessi Beads; Charly Claws, 40’s Thieves shop.
NOW ONLY Ksh 500!!!!
It makes a great Christmas present
DISCOUNTS OFFERED TO SCRA MEMBERS
(on presentation of valid membership cards)
AIR KENYA: 7% discount cash payment at their Ukunda Office or Wilson Airport for the Diani/Wilson/Diani sector.
ALI BARBOUR’S CAVE RESTAURANT: 20% discount on food and drinks at the Cave Restaurant.
DAVIS & SHIRTLIFF, DIANI OFFICE: 20% discount (plus 16% VAT) on purchases of power back-up systems, pumps and swimming pool equipment.
DIANI BAHARINI PHARMACY : (by Chandarana) for most medicines – 20% discount
DIANI BEACH HOSPITAL : 10% discount on laboratory tests
DIANI HARDWARE: 10% discounts on paints and 5% on general hardware tools.
Ken’s PHARMACY : 20% off medicines and animal products
SAFARI LINK: 7% discount payment at their Diani Office or Wilson Airport for the Diani/Wilson/Diani sector.
SWAHILI BEACH HOTEL : On food and beverage: 20% discount cash payment and 10% if paid by Credit Card.
PLEASE SHOP WITH A BASKET
HELP KEEP OUR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN – SUPPORT OUR JUA KALI INDUSTRIES –
b PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES & WHITE GLASS BOTTLES
CONTACT MR CHRISTOPHER MIRAA AT 0720 796547
b ALL FORMS OF METAL, BROKEN FURNITURE, UNROADWORTHY VEHICLES, OLD BATTERIES, BROKEN ENGINES AND MOTORS
CONTACT MR ROBERT NJUGUNAH AT 0721 – 298849
ARE YOU A MEMBER? JOIN US TODAY.
What to pay for 2015
Individual membership: 2,500/=
Corporate membership: 7,500/=
(If you wish to pay by cheque, please add additional 100 Khs for up-country cheques.)
How to register:
You can email secretary for a membership form or
Where to pay and register:
SAFARILINK OFFICE :
– DIANI SHOPPING CENTRE – 1st FLOOR and you will receive your card immediately
Or MPESA
Do you need to advertise anything? Please send to: atkins.vanessa
NEWSLETTER SPONSORSHIP:
Email advertisements/notifications 3000KHS (email : secretary)
Newsletter Advertisements:
Simple Ad. no more than three lines 200KSH
1/4 page, without picture 750KSH
1/4 page, with picture 1500KSH
1/2 page, without picture 1000KSH
1/2 page, with picture 2000KSH
Full page, without picture 1500KSH
Full page, with picture 3000KSH
DHL SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE IN DIANI AT CARE & CURE PHARMACY, BAHARINI PLAZA. FOR MORE INFO CONTACT 0716-2538
