Kwale County

Its capital is Kwale, although Ukunda is the largest town. The county has a population of 649,931.

Kwale is mainly an inland county, but it has coastline south of Mombasa. Diani Beach is part of the Msambweni division. Shimba Hills National Reserve and Mwaluganje elephant sanctuary are other attractions in the county.

About Kwale town

Kwale is a small town in and the capital of Kwale County, Kenya. It is located at around 4°10′28″S 39°27′37″E, 30 km southwest of Mombasa and 15 km inland. The town has an urban population of 4,200 (according to the Kenya’s 1999 census).

It is next to the Shimba Hills National Reserve. Mombasa port can vividly be viewed from Golini due to its high altitude. Past Kwale is The Shimba Hills Hotel and Mwalughanje Elephant Sanctuary running along the KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) strip. Kwale is the homeland of the Digo and Duruma people.

The two communities belong to the Mijikenda ethnic group of the former Coast Province of Kenya. Other tribes found in Kwale County include the Kambas (very few), Arabs and Indians though to a very small proportion compared to the Digos and Durumas.

The area extends from Shika Adabu in the south, to Kinango and then southwards to Lunga-Lunga on the border with Tanzania

Kwale County politics

The governor for Kwale County is Salim Mgalla Mvuyra who ran on an ODM ticket in the 2013 general elections. The senator for the county was the former MP of Matuga Constituency the late Boy Juma. His opponents were immediate former MP of Matuga Constituency Chirau Ali Mkwakwere and Nicholas Zani.

The Women's Representative is Zeinab Kalekye Chidzuga who, like Governor Mvurya, ran on an ODM ticket. She ran against Fatuma Masito and Mwanasaid Makoti.

Since Kenya’s independence, Kwale has had 4 members of parliament. The late Juma Boy was a well-known trade union activist. He was the first to hold the seat.

Kwale County has 4 constituencies namely Matuga (MP - Hassan Mwanyoha), Kinango (MP - Gonzi Rai), Msambweni (Suleiman Dori) and Lunga Lunga (Khatib Mwashetani). Kwale County, like many other counties in the Coastal region, is a stronghold of the Jubilee Party.

Among other farm products, Kwale produces oranges, pawpaws, mangoes, bixa, coconuts, a variety of vegetables and cereals.