Msambweni

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title: "Msambweni" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-coast-province"] topic_path: "general/populated-places-in-coast-province" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Msambweni" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
official_nameMsambweni
settlement_typeTown and constituency
image_skylineMsambweni Beach House1.jpg
image_captionView of the coast from Msambweni Beach Hotel
mapsize200px
map_captionLocation of Msambweni
pushpin_mapKenya
pushpin_relief1
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameKenya
subdivision_type1Province
subdivision_name1Coast
subdivision_type2County
subdivision_name2Kwale
subdivision_type3Constituency
subdivision_name3Msambweni
population_footnotes
population_total11,985
population_as_of2009
population_metro11985
timezoneEAT
utc_offset+3
::

| official_name = Msambweni | settlement_type = Town and constituency | image_skyline = Msambweni Beach House1.jpg | image_caption = View of the coast from Msambweni Beach Hotel | image_flag = | mapsize = 200px | map_caption = Location of Msambweni | pushpin_map = Kenya | pushpin_relief = 1 | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Kenya | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Coast | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Kwale | subdivision_type3 = Constituency | subdivision_name3 = Msambweni | established_title = | established_date = | elevation_ft = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 11,985 | population_as_of = 2009 | population_density_km2 = | population_urban = | population_metro = 11985 | population_note = | timezone = EAT | utc_offset = +3 | footnotes =

Msambweni (meaning "land of Msambwe") in Swahili) is a small fishing town and constituency in Kwale County of southeastern Kenya, formerly in Kwale District of Coast Province. The origin of the name, Msambwe (plural Misambwe) refers to a hardy and wild fruits (sw) tree indigenous to the area. A few remnants of the Msambwe trees are still existing at Mkunguni Beach, Sawa Sawa Village. By road, Msambweni is 55.4 km south of Mombasa and 46.5 km northeast of Lunga Lunga on the Tanzanian border. As of 2009, the town had a population of 11,985 people.

Fishing is the primary source of income, although coconut palm, buxa coloring,See Bixa orellana cashew nuts and fruits are produced for trade. Because of its reef and extensive beaches, the snorkeling industry is gaining in popularity in Msambweni, and holiday cottages and hotels have sprung up in the area, such as the Msambweni Beach House. The town is noted for its leprosarium and contains the Msambweni District Hospital. The Koromojo Dam is immediately north of the town.

Geography

By road, Msambweni is 55.4 km south of Mombasa, 46.9 km southeast of Kwale, and 46.5 km northeast of Lunga Lunga on the Tanzanian border. It lies along the A14 road (Ukunda-Ramisi Road) between the villages of Ukunda and Shimoni.

Msambweni forms a constituency that starts from the Mwachema River at the border of Tiwi and Diani Beach to the north, and down to Ramisi River towards the border of Kenya and Tanzania to the south.

The area's scenery is characterized by its beaches, rocky outcrops and low cliff tops and is relatively unspoiled. At one end of the beach is a "rocky headland of fossilized coral, which is a jumble of cracks, caves and chimneys that make an ideal roost for bats" and there are baobab trees in the vicinity. There is a reef channel at Msambweni and aquifer which is about 25 km south of the Tiwi aquifer. The reef, which stretches from Msambweni to Malindi in the north, is one of the world's largest continuous fringing reef. At the northern end of Msambweni Bay is Chale Island, a headland rather than an island, which is known as a sacred kaya (worshipping place). Many of the locals are superstitious and believe in witchcraft and spirits (sw).

Bedrock in the area was likely formed by Mazeras Sandstones. Msambweni has an average rainfall of 55.18 inches a year.

Politics

Msambweni Central forms a constituency with an elected Member of Parliament. As of 2001 the Msambweni Constituency had an area of 3267 km2 with a population of 211,011 people. By 2009 it had a population of 288,393 people. Kassim Mwamzandi was MP from 1988–1997. The MP for Msambweni was Suleiman Dori Ramadhan until his death on 9 March 2020. He assumed office in 2013 and was re-elected in 2017. A by-election which was held towards the end of December 2020 was marginally won by independent candidate Feisal Bader.

Economy

Msambweni grew from a small village into a bustling little town. Fishing is important to the local community of Msambweni and is the primary source of income. The area is mainly Muslim and inhabited by Digo peoples. The Kwake District Development Plan 2002–2008 attempted to improve fish landing sites and beach access for fisherman on the coast of Msambweni. Coconut palm is grown, as are cashew nuts, fruits and buxa coloring. Maize, cassava, cowpeas and rice are grown for domestic consumption. There are numerous stalls along the main road in the town selling fruit and vegetables. Silica sand is mined at Msambweni and transported to Nairobi to make bottle glass. Beekeeping and seaweed farming are also local occupation and its commercialization in the area has been supported by ACT! Kenya with financial assistance from the European Union.

A result of its reef, the tourist industry is taking off in Msambweni attracting snorkelers. Holiday cottages and hotels have sprung up. Club Green Oasis caters mainly to German tourists. Although supplied with electricity, in the 1990s the government expressed concerns about access to an ample clean water supply in the division.

Landmarks

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Msambweni_Beach_House2.jpg" caption="Msambweni Beach House"] ::

Msambweni is noted for its leprosarium, and contains the Msambweni Level 5 Hospital, which is reportedly one of the best hospitals on the coast, and Kari Medical Clinic, Vingujini Primary School, and Msambweni Secondary School. The Msambweni Campus of Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), formerly the Matuga Medical Training College in Matuga, is located next to the hospital. It was established in 1977 and shifted location to Msambweni in August 2006. It trains students in the Health Sciences, and since 2005 they have offered a three and half-year pre-service diploma course in Community Health Nursing. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Kaya_imani_msambweni.jpg" caption="pristine Kaya Imani Beach & Indigenous Forest"] ::

On a 40 ft clifftop is the Msambweni Beach House, set in 28 acres with a 700 ft stretch of private beach. Nearby is Kaya Imani, a popular artistic, eco friendly, off-the-grid getaway destination by the beach which sits on a tranquil indigenous forest.

Although predominantly Muslim, the town has an interdenominational church. Immediately to the north of Msambweni is the Koromojo Dam. and between Msambweni and Kwale is the Shimba Hills National Reserve. There is a marine reserve at Shimoni beyond Funzi Island to the south.

References

Footnotes

Endnotes

References

  1. "About us". Msambweni-beach-house.com.
  2. Koornhof, Anton. (1 March 1997). "The Dive Sites of Kenya and Tanzania: Including Pemba, Zanzibar and Mafia". Passport Books.
  3. "Kenya cities". Citypopulation.de.
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  5. (4 August 2006). "Kenya Gazette".
  6. (1 December 1994). "Fielding's Kenya: guide to Kenya's best hotels, lodges & homestays". Fielding Worldwide, Inc.
  7. "Msambweni". Kenya-coast.com.
  8. Watson, Rupert. (2007). "The African Baobab". Struik New Holland distributor.
  9. (22 October 2013). "Kenya: A Natural Outlook:geo-environmental resources and hazards". Elsevier Science/Newnes.
  10. (1996). "East African Ecosystems and Their Conservation". Oxford University Press.
  11. (2005). "This is Kenya". New Holland/Struik.
  12. (22 July 2013). "Cultural practices that hinder Children's Rights among the Digo community – Msambweni District, Kwale County – Kenya". [[Save the Children]].
  13. Haynes, W. S.. (1951). "Tuberculosis in Kenya". Government Printer, South Africa.
  14. "Kwale District Strategic Plan 2005–2010". National Coordinating Agency for Population and Development.
  15. "Constituency Density 2009". Government of Kenya.
  16. (January 1988). "The Weekly Review". Stellascope Limited.
  17. (2002). "Playing with Fire: Weapons Proliferation, Political Violence, and Human Rights in Kenya". Human Rights Watch.
  18. (1994). "Prevention and early intervention: individual differences as risk factors for the mental health of children : a festschrift for Stella Chess and Alexander Thomas". New York : Brunner/Mazel.
  19. (1996). "Grassroots Indicators for Desertification: Experience and Perspectives from Eastern and Southern Africa". [[International Development Research Centre.
  20. Pawlick, Thomas. (1 January 2002). "The Baringo Kid: Confrontations with Africa". [[University Press of America]].
  21. Planning, Kenya. Ministry of Finance and. (2002). "District Development Plan, 2002–2008: Kwale". Republic of Kenya, Ministry of Finance and Planning.
  22. Mollison, Simon. (1971). "Kenya's Coast". East African.
  23. (19 April 2008). "Geological Atlas of Africa: With Notes on Stratigraphy, Tectonics, Economic Geology, Geohazards, Geosites and Geoscientific Education of Each Country". Springer.
  24. "Act! Kenya : Commercialization of Seaweed Farming and Beekeeping in Msambweni". Kwetukenya.org Kwetu Training Centre For Sustainable Development.
  25. Development, Kenya. Office of the Vice-President and Ministry of Planning and National. (1994). "District Development Plan, 1994–1996: Kwale". Republic of Kenya, Office of the Vice-President and Ministry of Planning and National Development.
  26. Trillo, Richard. (2002). "Kenya". Rough Guides.
  27. (5 July 1994). "Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard)".
  28. (1994*.
  29. "Msambweni". Kenya Medical Training College.
  30. "Kaya Imani - Eco Friendly Boutique Hotel".
  31. (5–11 August 2000). "The interface between research and dialogue: Christian-Muslim relations in Africa". [[LIT Verlag]] Münster.
  32. (5 December 2001). "Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard)".
  33. (1 January 2002). "Dugong: Status Report and Action Plans for Countries and TerritoriesNairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme, 2002". UNEP/Earthprint.

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