Kilifi

Kilifi is a town on the coast of Kenya,  northeast of Mombasa by road. Kilifi had a population of 122,899 in 2009. The town lies on the Kilifi Creek and sits on the river mouth of Goshi River.

Kilifi is known for its sandy beaches and for the Mnarani ruins, including mosques and tombs, dating from the 14th to the 17th century.

Geography and climate
Kilifi town sits on both sides of the Kilifi Creek and is linked by the Kilifi Bridge which overlooks the river mouth. The south side has the Mnarani ruins and Shauri Moyo beach while the north side is the main part of Kilifi town and Bofa beach.

The weather is generally warm throughout the year (above 25 °C) with two seasons of moderate rainfall (about 800–1000 mm). Long periods of rain start around March and last into July, while the short periods start around October and last until December.

Demographics
Kilifi is a cosmopolitan town with mixed ethnic groups. The predominant inhabitants (about 80%) are from the Mijikenda groups (mainly Giriama and Chonyi). Other groups include the Swahili-Arab descendants, Barawas, Bajunis, Somalis as well as other groups from inland. There is a handful of Indians, and Europeans, mainly British, German and Italian.

Economy

Like every coastal town, fishing in Kilifi is one of the historical economic activities. With time, the town has slowly been transforming from a fishing village to basic industrial and service.

The growth of the town was mainly fuelled by the cashew nut milling factory between 1976 and 1990; the district has been a producer of cashews since 1930. The town almost became a ghost town when the factory was closed in 1990 due to a decline in nuts supply, mismanagement of the factory and increased global competition. Other industrial activities include sisal farming at Kilifi plantations.

Banking activity has been growing with about 7 banks (KCB, Barclays, Postbank, Imperial, Equity, Cooperative, Diamond Trust Bank and most recently National Bank) as well as microfinance institutions. Retail businesses and hotels have historically been significant economic activities.

Tourism

Tourism is an important economic activity in Kilifi, supported by its beaches, historical sites, and cultural heritage. Kilifi has a coastline with several kilometers of sandy beaches, including Bofa beach, which is noted for its clear waters and white sands. The area offers a less commercialized alternative compared to nearby destinations such as Malindi and Watamu.

Historical landmarks, such as the Mnarani ruins from the 14th century, contribute to Kilifi's appeal, providing insight into the region's Swahili history. Cultural festivals in Kilifi also highlight the traditions of the local Mijikenda communities, drawing visitors from both within Kenya and abroad.

Health
The Kilifi County Hospital, which is also a referral hospital, serves all of Kilifi County and also supports the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, a large medical research centre collaborative between Kenya's KEMRI and the British Wellcome Trust, known for its work on malaria and bacterial and viral childhood infections. Several other private clinics can be found here. The Khairat Medical Centre which was recently opened is equipped with a modern laboratory, x-ray, and scan machines with qualified personnel.

In popular culture

The final scenes of the 1992 feature film “Nel continente nero” (“On the Black Continent”) by director Marco Rizi take place in Kilifi County, among the ruins of Gedi.Nel continente nero , IMDb.com.Nel continente nero , Allmovie.com

Most of the events in the novel “Невозвращенец” (“The Non-Returnee”) by Andrei Gusev take place in Kilifi County and in Kilifi itself. The novel describes several years of life in Kilifi County in the early 2020s of the Russian writer Andy and his wife Jennifer, who was born in Kenya.  Review of “Невозвращенец” (“The Non-Returnee”) on  the site of public fund "Union of Writers of Moscow", 2023.   “Невозвращенец” (“The Non-Returnee”) by Andrei Gusev, 2022. 

References

Category:Towns in Kenya