|
Economically, the Coastal tourist sector is by
far the most important with the higher standard
hotels having over 2.700 beds, medium standard
hotels having over 2.200 beds and tourist villas
about 3.000 beds (in the year 1999). There are
currently 18 classified hotels, defined as
international standard tourist hotels. Six of
these are in Watamu, and twelve in Malindi town.
Tourist villas include complexes such as Oasis,
Malindi Cottages, etc and private houses rented
long term or occupied short term from residents
and citizens from “up-country”.
Since
1997 tourism is suffering. This is caused mainly
by concerns about security. Clashes in Kenya
1992, 1993 and most significantly at the Coast
Province in 1997 led to the perception that
Kenya was not a safe destination. As a result,
tourism slumped. In addition Kenya’s coast got
negative promotion through the drought and the
heavy rains of El Nino Flooding.
Industrial activities are minimal in Malindi
District. Only agriculture based industry is
evident. There are few processing enterprises,
dealing with cottonseeds, cotton and copra and
some furniture making enterprises. In Gongoni
salt is harvested from solar evaporation pans.
In
Malindi District formal sector activities in
Commerce, Trade and Services are mainly
concentrated in Malindi Town. These activities
include banks, supermarkets, chemists,
bookshops, motor vehicle spare parts shops,
stationery shops, restaurants, government
services, local authority services and private
transport such as car hire and tour companies.
Other formal sector activities are to be found
in Watamu but to a smaller extent. The general
number of licensed businesses declined between
1994 and 1997. The decline can be attributed the
decline in activities in the tourist industry
which is the main consumer of goods and services
in the area. Malindis commercial and trade
sector largely depends on tourism. More than
half of the local population benefit directly or
indirectly from tourism.
Agriculturally, the district is a food deficit
area. Agriculture is not technologically
developed. Techniques of cultivation, planting,
food storage and processing are less developed
than in most rural areas of Kenya. Main food
cops are maize and beans. Today there is no
obvious dominant cash crop, although coconuts,
citrus, mangoes, pineapples and cassava are
significant.
Malindi
district has a large but not significant number
of livestock. However, the per capita holdings
of cattle are less than one. The same is true of
sheep and goats. This has both implications for
income generation and on the farming system for
it denies the possibility of systematic
production of manure to support improved crop
agriculture. Very few animals are available for
sale and since 1993, beef cattle sales show a
downward trend. However, the annual production
of milk and chickens has increased significantly
over the past ten years.
(more about agriculture)
Fishing
is still an important activity within Malindi
District. The four main fish landing stations
are Malindi, Ngomeni, Watamu and Mayungu.
Artisanal fisheries have been and continue to
support about 1.200 fishermen on average,
landing approximately 675.000 kg fish in 1999,
about 50% in Malindi, 30% in Ngomeni, and the
remaining 20% in Watamu and Mayungu. Artisanal
fishermen using non-mechanized small vessels
within shallow water dominate fisheries
activities. Most of the fish caught in the
district is consumed fresh. Fish marketing is
mainly done by local fish dealers, and through
Malindi fishermen co-operative society.
(more about fishing)
The
importance of Malindi as a transport center has
declined following the recent tarmacking of the
Malindi – Lamu road. Long distance transporters
now do not have to stop in Malindi but can break
their journeys elsewhere
|
