In my previous article in the series, ‘Fireside Chats with the Legal Gal’, I wrote on our presence in
Lunga Lunga Sub County, located in Kwale County {insert link here}. Have a read, let us know what you
think and what more you’d like to know about our work at MMS Advocates LLP and how we could be
of service. Thank you.
Anyone who hears of their friend, relative or classmate becoming a lawyer (then an advocate of the High
Court of Kenya), the one thing that comes to mind is: “I wonder how long it will take before they get a
car! The money will for sure be rolling in within no time.” That may be true for some (or most of my
former classmates in campus and in KSL), but that could not be farther from the truth for me. As
mentioned in my previous articles, my upbringing at the Coast and in Nairobi had me exposed to the
public service network for the majority of my life.
The convenience of tuktuks, matatus (shout out to Number 9 in Eastleigh & 111 for Ngong), buses
(anyone remember KBS?) and pikipikis meant my desire for a personal car was not as strong as most of
my contemporaries or peers. Even as I forayed into the professional aspect of my life, the taxi apps were
the best way for me to get around, wherever in the world I’d be.
But…and I cannot stress this enough…nothing prepares you for when two or three of the most
convenient of the five modes of transport you are used to are taken away from you. Not out of
necessity, but because your life has shifted & a relocation has taken place. This is what happened to me
when I landed in Kwale County. With the peace and tranquility that came with the county, so did the
transport system not being what I was accustomed to in Nairobi, Kisumu or Mombasa. Or any other
town I’ve had the pleasure of being a resident of.
The county, specifically the HQ being Kwale Town, is dominated by tuktuks, matatus (42 seaters, 15
seaters and 6 seaters) and pikipikis/bodabodas. Buses are for when you’re travelling back to the North
Coast, the border Lunga Lunga, or to Nairobi. Taxis are few and far between – and they are not on any of
the taxi hailing apps that many of us are now accustomed to. All in all, traversing this wonderful
landscape has been nothing short of illuminating and entertaining as I carry out my work here.
With that in mind, here are the highlights I have had the pleasure of experiencing when it comes to the
transport system in this southern beauty that is Kwale County.
The transport system in Kwale County is a multi-model network comprising road, air, and marine
transport, with ongoing projects aimed at modernizing infrastructure. The system facilitates connectivity
within the county, to the wider coastal region, and nationally.
Road transport
The road network is essential for local, regional, and national transport, and includes the following:
Major roads: Key routes include the Mombasa-Lunga Lunga/Tanzania highway and the Mombasa-
Nairobi highway via the Dongo Kundu bypass. A significant project involves upgrading the Kinango-
Kwale Road to a bitumen standard, which will improve the movement of goods and people and is
expected to boost tourism and economic growth.
Public transport: Matatus, buses, and motorcycle taxis (boda-bodas) are the main modes of public
transport. Long-distance bus companies, such as Executive Bus, also operate routes connecting Kwale to
other regions.
The Dongo Kundu bypass: This bypass connects Mombasa to the South Coast (Kwale) by road,
bypassing the busy Likoni Ferry crossing and providing an alternative, reliable transport link.
Air transport
Ukunda Airport (Diani Airport): This is the main airstrip serving Kwale County and the popular tourist
destination of Diani Beach. The airport, which operates under the IATA code UKA, serves small-to-
medium aircraft and receives daily flights from destinations such as Nairobi (Wilson Airport), Maasai
Mara, and Amboseli. The recent expansion of the airport is expected to further boost tourism and trade.
Other airstrips: Smaller airstrips in the county, such as Mackinnon Road Airport and Funzi Island Airport,
cater to specific or private travel needs.
Moi International Airport: Located in neighbouring Mombasa County, this is the nearest international
airport for travellers visiting Kwale.
Marine transport
Likoni Ferry: the Likoni Ferry channel provides a crucial link connecting the island of Mombasa to the
South Coast (Kwale County). It transports both pedestrians and vehicles across the channel.
Shimoni Port: the development of Shimoni Port is another major infrastructure project poised to
stimulate economic growth and boost transport and trade activities in the county.
Integrated Maritime Transport System (IMTS): Kwale County is a stakeholder in the Kenya Ports
Authority’s IMTS project, which aims to modernize marine transport, boost maritime tourism, and
create new economic opportunities for local communities.
Railway transport
Madaraka Express: While there is no major railway station within Kwale, the standard gauge railway
(SGR) connecting Mombasa and Nairobi passes through Kwale County. Inter-county trains, which stop at
designated stations, are part of the Madaraka Express Passenger Service.
Kwale County, with its robust transportation system already in place, is not only ripe for all sorts of
opportunities from international and national investors alike, but for us at MMS Advocates. As I
reiterated in my previous articles, the excitement for the work we do in the legal space is only going to
grow. Here’s to you joining us on this journey. Until the next article, I sign off, Legal Gal.
Kasichana Riziki Mumba is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, and an associate at MMS
Advocates LLP. She is passionate about the rule of law, justice and creatively combining the world of
artivism (art and activism), nature and ESG into her work.