Tag: Fatuma Achani

Achani receives a boost in medical equipment from Annick for Kenya

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has received 30 modern recliner beds, 11 wheelchairs, and 5 walking aids from the Annick for Kenya Community-Based Organization (CBO) at the Kwale Sub-County Hospital, in Matuga Sub-County.

The initiative, spearheaded by the organization CEO Eddy Van Uytsel, is part of the organization’s ongoing support for health, education, and water access projects across Kwale County.

Speaking at the handover event, Governor Fatuma Achani commended the partnership, describing it as a vital gesture of goodwill that will directly impact the well-being of patients, sentiments that were echoed by the Deputy Governor Josphat Chirema Kombo, who reiterated on the County’s commitment in prioritizing the health sector for efficiency quality service delivery.

“We are grateful for this timely donation. These beds and mobility aids will ease the burden on our healthcare staff and improve patient comfort, especially in critical care units,” said Governor Achani.

According to the Tsimba Golini Ward representative Mwachuo Mwaboza, the equipment will cater for the growing number of patients at the Kwale Sub-County hospital.

“This is not just a donation, but a statement of commitment to human dignity. I thank Van Uytsel and the team for standing with our people,” he said.

Representing the Annick for Kenya organization during the handover, Mohammed Mwahenzi, the Kwale County Red Cross Society Coordinator, said the contribution aligns with the CBO’s mission of supporting vulnerable communities across the County.

Governor Achani has confirmed that the 30 recliner beds will be allocated to high-need wards, including maternity and outpatient care, at the same time wheelchairs and walking aids will support mobility for patients with physical challenges.

This comes as Kwale County has constructed and equipped at least 178 health facilities and hired 1,800 health workers across the County.

The donation marks another chapter in the continuous collaboration between Kwale County and Annick for Kenya, which has in the past supported clean water projects and education initiatives across various sub-counties.

July 28, 2025
How irrigation is reducing food insecurity in arid parts of Kwale County

For decades, the residents of Kinango and Lungalunga Sub Counties lived with the constant fear of hunger due to arid conditions that made agriculture nearly impossible, with every year, over 100,000 locals forced to rely on food aid from the government and various donors.

However, the situation has changed since the advent of devolution, as these areas now produce enough food through drip irrigation, with 250 acres being used for drip irrigation farming.

In just the past two years, the Kwale County government has constructed more than 25 dams, providing crucial water to farmers in this formerly drought-stricken region with over 4,000 farmers being included in the drip irrigation program through a partnership between the Kwale County government and the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).

The dams in Nyalani in Puma ward, Kizingo, (Macknon road ward) Bofu (Kasemeni ward) Chikwakwani (Kasemeni ward), Mwena (Mwereni ward), Nuru ( Puma ward), Mtaa ( Mwavumbo ward), Mwaluvuno (Ndavaya ward), Shauri moyo (Samburu Chengoni ward), Mwakalanga (Mwereni ward), Chikuyu (Puma ward), are among the dams supporting drip irrigation farming, producing enough food for the local’s domestic consumption and for sale.

Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani leading in the charge against food insecurity in the region, emphasizing that the focus will remain on tackling this challenge in the arid areas of Kinango, Samburu, and Lungalunga.

“We have already started the war against food insecurity in these arid regions. The dams we’ve constructed will help promote agribusiness and end the cycle of food scarcity,” said Achani

Esther Uchi from the Chikuyu irrigation group in Kasemeni Ward, is one of the 4,000 farmers involved in the drip irrigation program developed by the Kwale County government and the NAVCDP organization, describes how things were initially.

“In the past, you had to go all the way to Kinango or Mariakani to get vegetables. Many people depended on charcoal burning and relief food to sustain themselves. We were forced to travel as long as Mariakani and Mazeras to get vegetables, which was costly due to the transport costs.” Said Esther

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani inspecting a dam.

Farmers like Esther agree that food scarcity, which once forced them to rely on annual food aid from the government, is now a thing of the past.

“Since we got this water project, we now grow spinach, eggplant, among many other crops enough for domestic consumption and for sale.” She added

With the presence of sufficient water for irrigation, local farmers of Kinango and Lungalunga are on track to turn their once desolate lands into thriving agricultural hubs, through the visionary efforts of the Kwale County government, making the residents not only surviving but also flourishing.

April 6, 2025
Kwale County pledges to support sports development

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has pledged her administration’s support for sports development in the coastal county.

Governor Achani said her administration would give priority to sports development in order to unite and empower the youths.

Achani says her vision is to make Kwale one of the foremost sports counties in the country, pledging to build more football pitches and other sporting facilities as part of her administration’s efforts to boost sports development.

The county boss urged the youths in Kwale to embrace sports and as well as with their academic pursuit.

She says the county will prioritise sports development as a tool to engage youths and combat drug abuse and crime.

Achani spoke after holding separate fund drives for Denmark Football Club at Maganyakulo, Waa/Ng’ombeni ward in Matuga sub-county and Wayzata Football Club at Gazi village in Kinondo ward Msambweni sub-county.

The fundraiser was organised by the local leadership to help support football teams in their sporting activities.

She said the fund drive is geared towards equipping the teams with the necessary sports kits and other projects to sustain them economically.

During the funds drive events Achani was accompanied by Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza,his Msambweni counterpart Feisal Bader, Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito, nominated Senator Raphael Chimera and Kenya Ports Authority Board Chairman Benjamin Tayari.

Achani said the county government will do everything possible to promote sports in the region.

“As a devolved unit we are also committed to ensuring that our youth are empowered to grow their talents,” she said adding that the youth should not relegate physical activities to the backburner but rather should pay much attention to them.

She said the importance of sports as a means of income generation and youth development cannot be overemphasized.

Achani told the youths to use their time and talents in sports development noting that the county government is cognizant of the fact that sports remain the easiest way of taking the youths off the streets.

She says the devolved government will explore all possible avenues for more youth participation in sports to empower them to become self-reliant.

Achani observed that sports development will be given due attention noting that grassroots sports development was key to building peace among communities.

The local leaders commended the county government for its sports friendly posture and urged it to continue prioritising sports development as a tool to engage youths and combat drug abuse.

July 10, 2023