Kilifi Department of Trade, Tourism & Co-operative Development

29/07/2026

Preparations for the Chendachenda Festival 2026 are officially underway.

The Division of Tourism Promotion, Culture and Heritage today held its inaugural planning meeting for the Chendachenda Festival 2026, set for 9th September 2026, to lay the groundwork for a bigger, more vibrant celebration of Kilifi’s rich cultural heritage.

The meeting brought together cultural and tourism officers to review past successes, address key challenges, and develop strategies to deliver a more inclusive and impactful festival that showcases Kilifi’s unique identity while promoting tourism and local talent.

As preparations gather momentum, the County Government invites cultural groups, development partners, sponsors, exhibitors, community leaders, and residents to be part of this year’s festival and help celebrate, preserve, and promote the rich cultural heritage that makes Kilifi unique.Also present was our department Advisor Mrs.Selina Maitha

23/07/2026

21/07/2026

PROMOTING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES THROUGH CULTURE AND DIALOGUE

The Directorate of Culture and Heritage, in partnership with TIMIZA Youth CBO and TICAH, today convened a community dialogue at Kaya Kauma in Ganze Sub-County, bringing together women, men, Kaya Elders, and other traditional leaders to address the role of culture in promoting healthier communities.

The dialogue focused on how social and cultural norms influence HIV prevention, emerging HIV infections, and the opportunities presented by digital platforms to raise awareness and encourage positive behaviour change.

A key highlight was the use of DHOME (Traditional-led Conversations) as a community-led approach to preventing new HIV infections through open dialogue, preservation of positive cultural values, and addressing harmful misconceptions. Participants also explored the critical role of Kaya Elders and traditional leaders in eliminating harmful cultural practices that fuel Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other social challenges.

The engagement reaffirmed the importance of strong partnerships between cultural institutions, community leaders, and development partners in advancing community-driven solutions that promote health, dignity, and cultural preservation.

The County Government appreciates the Directorate of Culture and Heritage, the Ganze Sub-County Cultural and Heritage Office, local leadership, TIMIZA Youth CBO, and TICAH for their commitment to empowering communities through dialogue and cultural leadership.

Together, we can build healthier, safer, and more informed communities free from new HIV infections, harmful cultural practices, and Gender-Based Violence.

17/07/2026

STRENGTHENING SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE TOURISM SECTOR

The Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), in collaboration with the Kenya Police Service and other security agencies, today commenced a two-day sensitization training on security issues affecting the tourism sector in Kilifi County, bringing together tourism stakeholders from across the country.

The forum was officially opened by the Chief Officer for Tourism Promotion, Mr. Herbert Mwachiro, who commended the organizers for their efforts in strengthening safety within the industry.

He noted that Kilifi now ranks first nationally in bed capacity and is home to the country’s longest coastline, stretching from Mtwapa to Malindi and hosting some of Kenya’s most iconic tourism destinations.

Mr. Mwachiro reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to working closely with tourism stakeholders and security agencies to ensure the safety of visitors and support the continued growth of the sector.

Day one of the training focused on both proactive and responsive security measures for tourism establishments, including early detection and reporting of incidents, staff preparedness, and customer safety protocols to enhance visitor experiences.

Tourism establishments were urged to remain vigilant and strengthen safety measures to safeguard visitors and maintain Kilifi’s reputation as a safe and preferred tourism destination.

The training concludes tomorrow.

16/07/2026

KILIFI TO HOST THE 2028 FIREBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Kilifi County is set to host the prestigious Fireball World Championships in February 2028 at Mnarani Beach Club, further strengthening the county’s position as a leading sports tourism destination.

The announcement was made by the Chief Officer for Tourism Promotion, Herbert Mwachiro, during the prize-giving ceremony of the 58th Kenya Fireball Championships held at Kilifi Boatyard.

The international sailing event, last hosted in Kilifi in 2003, is expected to attract competitors from Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Ireland, Canada, and several other countries, providing a major boost to tourism, local businesses, and the county’s economy.

Speaking during the event, Mwachiro reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to delivering a world-class championship while showcasing Kilifi’s unique coastal attractions and hospitality to the global sailing community.

Officials from the Department of Tourism were also in attendance.

14/07/2026

A NEW CHAPTER FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN KILIFI!

The County Government of Kilifi is delighted to welcome Carrefour as it officially opens its doors in Kilifi tomorrow.

This investment is a strong vote of confidence in our growing economy and will create new opportunities for local businesses, suppliers, and job seekers while enhancing access to quality products and services for our residents.

As the Department of Trade and Tourism Promotion, we look forward to a strong and lasting partnership with Carrefour as we continue positioning Kilifi as a preferred destination for trade and investment.
Carrefour Kenya

13/07/2026

The Kilifi County Division of Tourism Promotion and liquor participated in the launch of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Coast Chapter, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening project management capacity within the County Government.

Notably, the division of Tourism became the first County Department from among Kenya's 47 counties to undergo Project Management Institute (PMI) training. The initiative is aimed at equipping county officers with the knowledge and skills needed to plan, implement, monitor, and successfully complete projects on time while ensuring efficient utilization of resources.

The training marks a significant step towards enhancing project management excellence within the County Government, fostering accountability, improving service delivery, and ensuring that development projects deliver maximum value to the people of Kilifi County.

The Department looks forward to applying the knowledge gained to strengthen project implementation and achieve better development outcomes.

In attendance were chief Officer Tourism Mr.Herbert Mwachiro who was accompanied by County Officials from both the Tourism and the Liquor division.

08/07/2026

PRESERVING CULTURE, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES

The County Government of Kilifi continues to support community cultural groups as drivers of heritage preservation and local economic growth.

During an engagement with the Culture Kayamba Asili Group in Kinung’una Forodhani, County Tourism Officer Mr. Kiponda explored ways of strengthening the group’s cultural activities and expanding income-generating opportunities.

The group, made up of 15 members, continues to preserve local traditions through cultural performances while also engaging in farming and is currently seeking markets for its green pea harvest.

The County remains committed to supporting initiatives that protect our cultural heritage while improving livelihoods for local communities.

08/07/2026

The County Government of Kilifi has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the boda boda sector through SACCO regulation aimed at promoting financial discipline, accountability, security, and improved livelihoods for riders across the county.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with boda boda leaders, the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Tourism Promotion, Culture and Heritage, and Cooperative Development, Hon. Raymond Ngala, emphasized the need to recognize the boda boda sector as a key source of employment and encouraged operators to join registered SACCOs to enhance organization, access to financial services, and economic empowerment.

The meeting reviewed key commitments made by H.E. Governor Gideon Mung’aro, including the establishment of a County Boda Boda Office, facilitating access to driving licences, and ensuring representation of the sector in relevant county structures.

Hon. Ngala also called for the implementation of the Kilifi County Transport Act, 2016, which provides a framework for regulating the sector, including motorcycle identification through numbering and colour coding to improve safety and accountability.

With over 10,000 boda boda operators supporting families and driving local economies across Kilifi, the County Government continues to work towards creating a safer, more organized, and economically empowered sector.

As part of the agreed resolutions, SACCO leaders will submit updated membership registers, while the County will review the existing legislation and support registered SACCOs through the Wezesha Fund to promote financial inclusion and business growth.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Kilifi County Boda Boda Association (KICOBA), led by County Chairman Mr. Khamis Katambo, alongside chairpersons from all sub-counties across Kilifi.

07/07/2026

The County Government of Kilifi, through the Directorate of Culture and Heritage, participated in a knowledge-sharing engagement between the Sokoke Ward Older Persons Association (OPA) and representatives from HelpAge International, including partners from the United Kingdom and India.

The discussions explored how different cultures value, support, and preserve the dignity of older persons, while sharing best practices on promoting their rights, well-being, and inclusion in society.

The engagement also identified strategies to empower older persons to live healthy, secure, and dignified lives, free from poverty, inequality, and discrimination.

As part of this commitment, the Directorate of Culture and Heritage will continue supporting the formation of Older Persons Associations across Ganze Sub-County, creating platforms for senior citizens to preserve and pass on Kilifi’s rich cultural heritage while strengthening community cohesion.

The County Government of Kilifi remains committed to protecting the dignity of older persons and preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.