About Kilifi Way Back When
Brief History of Kilifi County
Situated in the coast region of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean, Kilifi County has a rich history dating back centuries, marked by a blend of native cultures, trade influences, and colonial encounters. By the first millennium AD, the East African coast had become a regional hub of trade and cultural exchange, fostering the budding of many trading posts in Kilifi. Not counting the series of old trade posts, bound to the Indian Ocean by trade, much of the place we now know as Kilifi County, in the isolated hinterland, was more or less unpeopled until 1900.
The rise of Swahili city-states, like Gedi and Mnarani, played a significant role in shaping Kilifi’s early history. Much the same, several city-states flourished along the Swahili Coast and adjacent islands, including Sofals, Kilwa, Pate, Lamu, and Zanzibar. These city-states thrived on maritime trade, exporting goods such as ivory, gold, and spices to markets across the Indian Ocean. Kilifi, with its strategic location, became a key trading center, attracting merchants from Arabia, Persia, India, and beyond. Ergo the winds of change were blowing through trade.
In 1501, by virtue of its affairs with Vasco da Gama, Malindi became the seat for the Viceroy in East Africa, giving it a portent primacy over its rival, Mombasa. Equidistant from the two, Kilifi town became entangled in the incessant feuds. At the peak of these broiling feuds, in the 1580s, Kilifi seems to have fought Malindi for Mombasa, perhaps on the basis of tipping dynastic links between the two capitals, or possibly through impromptu ambition. Malindi complained of Kilifi’s raids and opted to put an end to both Kilifi’s provocation and Mombasa’s sway.
The Portuguese intervened on the side of Malindi. Following its defeat, Kilifi’s war pumps run dry, but Mombasa fought back in her usual gusto. As this was going on, the Portuguese were at full stride growing trade, with the collaboration of Africans, Indians, and Arabs. Kilifi now fallen, the Portuguese centred their focus on Malindi. Even so, they engaged continually, more frequently than hoped, in military conflicts with the Swahili city-states – destroying some! After the fall of Portugal, in 1698, Malindi and Mambrui were resettled by Omani Arabs, especially from 1850’s. Both towns had been abandoned during the 17th century.
By the late 19th century, European colonial powers began to assert control over the East African coast. In short order, the coast region became part of the British Empire, following the signing of treaties and agreements with local leaders. The British also negotiated with the Sultan of Oman to run his flourishing commercial empire along the East African coast. Ere long, the new-comers introduced cash crops such as sisal and cashew nuts, transforming the region’s economy and land use patterns. Between 1920 and 1963, the colonial conditions in Kilifi County were exemplified by the hostile land policies in favour of the Arabs and new settlers.
The Mijikenda community got the short end of the stick. and were denied land rights in the coastal plain. In instead, the far-flung Nyika Reserve, in the torrid, underdeveloped and unproductive hinterland was created for their settlement. Taxation and colonial labour fanned the flames of alienation, the effects of which can still be felt today as a large fraction live either as squatters or wage labourers on European plantations or as casual workers in Mombasa. After independence, in 1963, Kilifi, formerly part of the Coast Province, was established as a district. Since then, Kilifi County has undergone significant development and transformation.
Touring Kilifi County offers a delightful blend of coastal beauty, lovely beaches, cultural richness, natural wonders, and fascinating ancient ruins. Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, historical sites, or vibrant cultural experiences – or a combination, Kilifi promises a memorable and enriching travel experience.
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A Guide to Kilifi County
A Summa Digest of Kilifi
About Kilifi Way Back When
95 Destinations in Kilifi County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shimo la Tewa Prison, Mtwapa Creek, Mtwapa Ruins, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant, Jumba la Mtwana, Kikambala Beach, Vipingo Mosque Ruins, Kinuni Ruins, Kuruwitu Conservancy, Neem Tree House, Vipingo Ridge, Chasimba Cave, Kilifi Sisal Plantations, Vuma Cliffs, Old Town Takaungu, Takaungu Creek, Kitoka Ruins, Takaungu House, Beneath the Baobab Festival, Kilifi Creek, Kilifi Bridge, Kilifi Boatyard, Distant Relatives Lodge, Mnarani Ruins, Mnarani Snake Park, 3 Degrees South, Kamili House, Mazingira Park, Bofa Beach, Saltys Kitesurfing Bar & Restaurant, Bush Baby Kilifi, Casa Dalton, Panga ya Saidi Cave, River Rare Geo Park, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Mwangea Hills Forest, Watamu Marine National Park, Uyombo Ruins, Rock & Sea Resort, Mida Creek, Sudi Island, Kirepwe Ruins, Watamu Beach, Ocean Sports Watamu, Medina Palms, Hemimways Watamu, A Rocha Eco Lodge & Conservation Centre, Watamu Treehouse, Garoda Beach, Tribe Watersports, Kite House, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Kiburugeni Ruins, Mgangani Ruins, Mida Creek Nature Camp, Gede Ruins, Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Malindi Museum, Henry the Navigator Monument, Malindi Pier, Malindi Pillar Tomb, Malindi Waterfront Park, Portuguese Chapel, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Beach, Ndoro Sculpture Garden, White Elephant Sea & Art Lodge, Malindi Crocodile & Snake Farm, Malindi Marine National Park, Malaika Beach Sunbeds & Restaurant, Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions, Lo Sfizio Coffee Shop, Lennox Art Gallery, Falconry of Kenya, Hanging Gardens, Malindi Golf & Country Club, River Sabaki Delta, Marafa Depression, Dakacha Woodland, Mekatilili wa Menza Site, Mambrui Dunes, Mambrui, Mambrui Tombs, Kibirakani Ruins, Che Shale Hotel Kitesurf Center, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, The Nyika Plateau, Galana Conservancy, Ngala Mausoleum, Rabai Museum, Kaya Kambe Shrine, Thomas Wakefield Memorial Church
Know More About Kilifi County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Kilifi can be split into three zones – the narrow coastal plain, varying in width from 3 kms to 20 km; few coastal hills lying below 30 ms asl, and the Nyika Plateau rising from 100ms to 340 ms asl.
For the greater part of the year, the climate along the coastal plain is pleasurable, though humid. Temperature ranges between 21C and 30C along the coast, and between 30C and 34C further inland.
