KENYA: Silverstone Air Services To Commence Nairobi, Mombasa Flights

Silverstone Air Services is to start flights between Nairobi and Mombasa next month, targeting tourists on the coastal circuit.

The airline last October launched commercial flights from Nairobi to Kisumu and Ukunda having previously operated as a charter-only carrier.

Silverstone Air sales manager Patrick Oketch on Tuesday said the airline will be charging about Sh4,500 for a start for a one-way ticket between Nairobi-Mombasa.

We are planning to introduce direct flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Mombasa by next month, said Mr Oketch in an interview.

The departure time from Wilson Airport to Mombasa will be 10am while departure time from Mombasa to Nairobi will be 11:30am.

There will also be a second flight leaving Wilson Airport at 5:00pm to Mombasa from Nairobi daily, he said.

Silverstone Air has been expanding barely six months since it established its operations in the Kenyan market.

The low-cost carrier’s passenger flights target tourists from the Western and Coastal regions, charging between Sh4,500-Sh10,000 for a one-way ticket between Kisumu and Mombasa.

In April, the local airline increased frequency on the Nairobi-Kisumu route to 17 trips per week, up from 14, while passengers travelling to Mombasa from Kisumu are now served by three weekly flights, an increase from two.

Traders in Mombasa and Kisumu will soon have more transport options for their goods after Silverstone Air Services announced it will launch air cargo transportation between the counties.

Silverstone Air Services, which started operating direct passenger flights between the two cities in February, says the new cargo route will boost trade between the devolved units.

We will start cargo transportation and we are slightly cheaper. We will do all cargo and parcels apart from non-dangerous goods.

For body transportation we will charge Sh40,000 only. Traders dealing with fish from the two counties who have been urging us to start transporting their commodities can now breathe a sigh of relief, the airline's sales manager Patrick Oketch said Monday.

Silverstone Air Services is a fairly new entrant into the local aviation scene and has been on an expansion trail barely six months since setting up in Kenya.

The low cost carrier's passenger flights target tourists from the Western and Coastal regions and is charging about Sh10,500 for a one-way ticket between Kisumu and Mombasa.

It operates twice a week, every Friday and Sunday.

Since its inception in October 2017, the company has employed about 186 staff.

The airline’s chief executive officer, Mohamed Somow, says the company will soon expand to operate more routes across the country.

Mombasa deputy governor William Kingi urged traders to use the airline to transport fresh tilapia consumed in Mombasa, usually transported to the port city by road.

In recent times, local fish traders have faced stiff competition from Chinese imports flooding the Kenyan market.

With Kisumu’s strategic position on Lake Victoria and on the fringes of the Great Lakes Region, a direct link to Mombasa is a big boon for both cities.

Can we explore Mombasa port to expand the market for Nyanza's fresh fish? Silverstone air services will soon fly our sea fish to Nyanza, the deputy governor said.

Meanwhile, players in the aviation industry have urged the national government to allocate more funds to upgrading existing airstrips and international airports to support the sector.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Silverstone Air Services To Commence Mombasa-Kisumu Cargo Flights

Traders in Mombasa and Kisumu have more transport options for their goods. Silverstone Air Services announced it will launch air cargo transportation between the counties.

Silverstone Air Services, which started operating direct passenger flights between the two cities in February, says the new cargo route will boost trade between the devolved units.

We will start cargo transportation and we are slightly cheaper. We will do all cargo and parcels apart from non-dangerous goods. For body transportation we will charge Sh40,000 only.

Traders dealing with fish from the two counties who have been urging us to start transporting their commodities can now breathe a sigh of relief, the airline's sales manager Patrick Oketch said Monday.

Silverstone Air is a fairly new entrant into the local aviation scene and has been on an expansion binge barely six months since setting up in Kenya.

The low cost carrier's passenger flights target tourists from the Western and Coastal regions and is charging about Sh10,500 for a one-way ticket between Kisumu and Mombasa.

It operates twice a week, every Friday and Sunday.

The company has employed about 186 staff.

The airline’s chief executive officer, Mohamed Somow, says the company will soon expand to operate more routes across the country.

Mombasa deputy governor William Kingi urged traders to use the airline to transport fresh tilapia consumed in Mombasa, usually transported to the port city by road.

In recent times, local fish traders have faced stiff competition from Chinese imports flooding the Kenyan market.

With Kisumu’s strategic position on Lake Victoria and on the fringes of the Great Lakes Region, a direct link to Mombasa is a big boon for both cities.

Can we explore Mombasa port to expand the market for Nyanza's fresh fish? Silverstone air services will soon fly our sea fish to Nyanza, the deputy governor said.

Meanwhile, players in the aviation industry have urged the national government to allocate more funds to upgrading existing airstrips and international airports to support the sector.

Local airline Silverstone Air has launched daily flights to Lodwar, raising the competition for customers on the route that is also served by Fly540, Safarilink and several other carriers.

Silverstone Air says their daily return flight, which will take off from Wilson Airport, will help them connect business and leisure customers travelling to the increasingly popular town.

The airline was until October last year operating as a charter-only carrier but stepped up to offer commercial flights from Nairobi to Lamu, Malindi, Ukunda and Kisumu.

Air travel demand is expected to double in the next 15 years. Silverstone Air aims to be at the forefront of this development, said Captain Mohamed Somow, airline’s managing director.

The domestic air market has seen rising demand in the recent years as more Kenyans opt to fly in line with rising income and construction of new airstrips and airports.

Silverstone will initially operate five planes on its local routes, consisting of two Dash-8 planes and three Fokker 50 aircraft.

Meanwhile, The tourism sector could get a Sh6 billion boost if plans to amend the Air Passenger Charge Act 2016 are successful.

MPs want the amendment to unlock the cash that the Treasury has been collecting to plug a budget deficit in the Ministry of Tourism.

Parliamentary Committee on Sports, Tourism and Culture says the changes will see the Ministry of Tourism included in the law as a beneficiary of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Fund established under the Act.

The committee said the ministry plans to undertake several projects including the construction of Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) annex that is expected to expand capacity of the facility to host global conferences and exhibitions at a cost of Sh27 billion.

It plans to spend Sh29 billion to construct the Mombasa International Convention Centre that will market Kenya as a conference tourism destination in the region and internationally.

The planned building of Nairobi International Convention Exhibition Centre is estimated to cost Sh17 billion.

The ministry also plans to upgrade of Mama Ngina drive waterfront into a modern recreation area of global standards.

The MPs said the amendments to the Air Passenger Service Act would unlock funding for the key priority projects.

This would propel the unlocking of Sh6 billion that has been collected since the enactment of the Act by the national Treasury interns of air passenger taxes and enable it to meet the deficits in budget policy statement, Victor Munyaka, who chairs the committee said in a brief to the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC).

MPs last week adopted BAC report on the Budget Policy Statement.

The KAA Act establishes the fund where all proceeds from the levy collected under the Air Passenger Service Charge Act is paid into.

Visitor arrivals into Kenya from East Africa has grown substantially in the past three years, official data shows, partly signalling the benefits of an open visa scheme for the region.

Kenya last year recorded a combined arrival of 95,845 visitors from Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, up from 80,841 in 2016.

In 2015, some 58,032 visitors arrived from these countries.

Uganda topped the list of Kenya’s top source markets in Africa, growing by 20.6 per cent to 61,542 arrivals, Kenya’s Tourism ministry said in its sector performance report for 2017.

Arrivals from Tanzania also grew by an impressive 21.8 per cent in last year to 21,110 compared to 2016. Visitors from Rwanda increased to 12,193 in 2017 from 11,658 the previous year.

Uganda saw its share in Kenya tourism arrivals nearly double in the past three years.

Data by the Kenya’s Tourism ministry showed that Uganda was Kenya’s third largest source market for tourism with an overall share of 6.4 per cent last year compared to 3.9 per cent in 2015 and 5.8 per cent in 2016.

East Africa has implemented multi-entry single tourist visa since February 2014.

This visa enables visitors travelling in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda to travel across all the three regions using a single permit that can be obtained in any of these countries.

The move is a way of encouraging integration of citizens and cross-border trade

The contribution of visitor arrivals from East Africa helped grow Kenya’s overall tourism arrivals to 1.47 million last year, up from 1.34 million in 2016 although the numbers remained well below a peak of 1.83 million in 2011.

The increase saw the country’s revenue from tourism jump 20 per cent last year even as the sector continued to recover from a series of terrorist attacks on the country a few years ago that had scared away foreign visitors.

Revenue from tourism, one of Kenya’s main hard currency earners alongside tea and horticulture, totalled Sh120 billion for 2017, Tourism secretary Najib Balala said last week.

Kenya grew stronger in 2017 as a destination brand following positive visibility. This was achieved despite a busy electioneering season that threatened to slow down tourism activities, Mr Balala said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government wants to bring in three million visitors a year, according to a manifesto published when he was first elected in early 2013.

In his inauguration speech for his second term on November 28, President Kenyatta said Africans wishing to visit Kenya would be eligible to receive a visa on arrival.

Adding that citizens from the East African Community will only need a national identification card to travel, work, do business, own property, farm and even marry and settle in Kenya.

Kenya anticipates that the new measures will enhance trade and security as well as foster cohesion in the continent.

I will work with you, leaders of the East African Community, to bring a renewed energy and optimism to our union.

Together, we can deliver the peace and prosperity for which our citizens are crying out; divided, we will struggle to realise the full potential of our people, President Kenyatta said during his inauguration.

Presently Seychelles does not demand a visa for any African country, while Namibia, Ghana, Rwanda, Mauritius, Nigeria, and Benin have all adopted this no-visa policy over the past two years.

The African Union in 2016 also launched a continental passport as part of a strategy to encourage open borders.

Central African Economic and Monetary Community recently reached a key pact making travel within the six-member regional block.

These comprise Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon and Chad, visa-free and integration of central Africa a reality.



Tourism Observer

KENYA: X mass Holidays Attract More Travellers For Jambojet

Budget airline Jambojet has introduced additional flights to the coastal cities as it seeks to cash in on the high demand from holidaymakers.

The airline’s CEO Willem Hondius said there has been increased demand for air travel between Nairobi and the Coast forcing the company to increase frequency starting Tuesday (Dec 19).

Jambojet is now operating three flights to Malindi and Ukunda and four to Mombasa per week.

Yes we have added flights to Malindi (3 per week), Mombasa (4 per week), Ukunda (3 per week plus a third frequency per day between December 19 and 31),said Mr Hondius.

Mr Hondius said all routes that the airline plies have registered high demand. During the festive season we see demand going up sharply and there is always need to add flights,he said.

Last week the airline received one of two planes it purchased last month at Sh6.6 billion to cater for increased demand this Christmas season.

The addition brings Jambojet’s fleet to six – two Q400 planes that it acquired earlier in the year and two Boeing 737s leased from Kenya Airways KQ its parent company.

The airline said the remaining plane will arrive later this month. The two planes have been acquired from Danish firm Nordic Aviation Capital.

The cost of booking air tickets has significantly gone up as more passengers seek to travel by air. Those who have been booking from last week are paying almost double the price compared with travellers who booked in November.

It’s still quite last minute unfortunately. However for the festive season people tend to book a bit earlier, said the CEO.

The airline in May got regulatory approval to fly to 16 regional routes, including Entebbe, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Kigali, Juba, Bujumbura, Hargeisa, Mogadishu, Goma, Kisangani and Moroni.

Meanwhile, Jambojet is set to start flights to Tanzania and Uganda by February next year, kicking off its regional expansion plan designed to see the low-cost carrier fly to 16 new routes.

The Transport ministry said it had applied for permission for the budget airline, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways is to fly to the countries.

Jambojet was in May granted regulatory approval to fly to 16 routes including Entebbe, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Kigali, Juba, Bujumbura, Hargeisa, Mogadishu, Goma, Kisangani and Moroni.

The government has applied for designations on our behalf to allow us operate on six regional routes, Willem Hondius, Jambojet’s chief executive said.

For now, the application covers Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo. However, we intend to begin by flying to Tanzania and Uganda.

Jambojet also plans to start flying to Wajir by next February, adding to its existing flights between Nairobi and Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, Lamu, Malindi and Ukunda (Diani).

The airline had earlier said it would make its international debut by the end of this year, but delays in receiving two Bombardier Q400 aircraft has seen them push their launch date forward.

These two planes are now expected before Christmas.

The extended electioneering period took a toll on the business, with total bookings for the four months to October dipping by around 16 per cent, Mr Hondius revealed.

The airline flies between 45,000 and 50,000 passengers per month.

In the weeks around the two general elections, he added, passenger numbers dropped by a quarter, highlighting the huge toll that the process had on Kenya’s aviation sector.

Kenya Airways’ latest annual report indicates that Jambojet reported a pre-tax loss of Sh25 million for the year to March, reversing a pre-tax profit of Sh126 million recorded the previous year.

The loss was attributable to last year’s peak season when insufficient aircraft messed us up. The elections affected us negatively this year. While business has rebounded, we shall assess the full impact with time, said Mr Hondius.

Jambojet is set to receive two new aircraft worth Sh6.6 billion before Christmas in anticipation of the high-season passenger demand and as the low-cost carrier prepares to start international flights.

The airline, a subsidiary of national carrier Kenya Airways is set to receive the first of two Bombardier Q400 on December 11. The second one is expected to touch down in Nairobi six days later.

Jambojet was in May granted regulatory approval to fly to 16 routes including Entebbe, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Kigali, Juba, Bujumbura, Hargeisa, Mogadishu, Goma, Kisangani and Moroni.

We are confident that the Q400 aircraft will allow us to implement our growth strategy as we strive to launch new routes and to respond to the anticipated increase in demand, Willem Hondius, Jambojet’s chief executive, said in a statement.

The budget carrier will lease the aircraft from Danish firm Nordic Aviation Capital which in turn signed a purchase order for the planes with Montreal-based Bombardier on Wednesday.

Jambojet, which has been operational since April 2014, currently operates four aircraft — two Q400 planes which were also acquired this year and two Boeing 737s leased from its parent firm.

The airline plies six routes in Kenya; between Nairobi and Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, Malindi and Ukunda (Diani). We are looking at retiring our narrow body fleet (Boeing 737s) and transitioning to an all-Q400 fleet by end of this year, said Mr Hondius.

The carrier has already returned one of the Boeings to KQ with the national carrier now expected to put it up for sale.

Thousands of Jambojet passengers travelling to the Coast over Christmas were hit by flight delays and cancellations.

The airline said the delays resulted from technical problems on one Bombardier, which was compounded by the delayed arrival of the aircraft to handle higher passenger numbers during the holiday season.

Jambojet, which issued an apology for these delays, has since then set out to increase its fleet to avoid a repeat of this incident even as looks to expand regionally.

Jambojet has slashed baggage fees by up to 65 per cent in a bid to generate more non-passenger ticket revenue for the budget airline.

The low-cost carrier has announced that its highest luggage fee, charged on 32 kilogrammes of baggage, will drop to Sh5,500 for payments made at their airport and half that for bookings made through agents or online.

This marks a sharp fall from the Sh15,600 and Sh7,800 respectively which Jambojet, a Kenya Airways subsidiary, was charging its customers.

We have reduced the rates, allowing passengers to carry more for less, Jambojet chief executive Willem Hondius said. We have also reduced the baggage fee bands making it easier for passengers to choose.

Jambojet’s baggage policy review comes a few months after it hired Catherine Mwangi as its ancillary manager.

Ancillary services in the airline industry include entertainment, onboard shopping, Internet gaming, car hire, frequent flier programmes, hotel bookings, checked baggage and better cabin seating.

The extras normally add on to and sometimes exceed the budget ticket costs.

Ms Mwangi has previously held various marketing jobs at Qatar Airways, Air France-KLM as well as South African Airways.

Payments made at the airport will cost double across all bands.

Jambojet achieved a 90 per cent on-time-performance (OTP) in September and October mainly driven by a new fleet, records show.

The low-cost carrier recorded a six per cent higher average of OTP in the two months after recording 84 per cent in August.

OTP is an industry benchmark calculated based on flights taking off and landing within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.

We are well over our target of 80 per cent which is considerably better than the industry average. Without a doubt, this is a very good sign as we go into the peak festive season, said Jambojet chief executive Willem Hondius.

Our investment in the two new Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircrafts has enabled us to deliver a very reliable flight schedule across the country and live up to the expectation of customers.

The airline has maintained an average OTP of 85 per cent in the past seven months, Mr Hondius said.

Jambojet has in its nearly four years of operation in Kenya increased its routes from four to six, with increased frequency of flights due to fleet expansion.

It currently operates 75 flights per week on its domestic routes from Nairobi to Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, Malindi and Ukunda.

The airline, which has a code-share agreement with Kenya Airways for domestic travel, expects delivery of two new aircraft later this year.




Tourism Observer

KENYA: Mombasa City

Mombasa is a city on the coast of Kenya. It is the country's second-largest city,after the capital Nairobi, with an estimated population of about 1.2 million people in 2016. Its metropolitan region is the second largest in the country and has a population of approximately two million people.Administratively, Mombasa is the capital of Mombasa County.

A regional cultural and economic hub, Mombasa has an extra-large port and an international airport, and is an important regional tourism centre. Located on the east coast of Kenya, in Mombasa County and the former Coast Province, Mombasa's situation on the Indian Ocean made it a historical trading centre, and it has been controlled by many countries because of its strategic location.

It is located on Mombasa Island and sprawls to the surrounding mainlands. The island is separated from the mainland by two creeks: Tudor Creek and Kilindini Harbour. It is connected to the mainland to the north by the Nyali Bridge, to the south by the Likoni Ferry, and to the west by the Makupa Causeway, alongside which runs the Kenya-Uganda Railway. The port serves both Kenya and countries of the interior, linking them to the ocean. The city is served by Moi International Airport located in the northwest mainland suburb of Chaani.

Mombasa has a cosmopolitan population, with the Swahili people and Mijikenda predominant. Other communities include the Akamba and Taita Bantus as well as a significant population of Luo and Luhya peoples from Western Kenya. The major religions practised in the city are Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. Over the centuries, many immigrants and traders have settled in Mombasa, particularly from the Middle East, Somalia, and the Indian sub-continent, who came mainly as traders and skilled craftsmen.

The founding of Mombasa is associated with two rulers: Mwana Mkisi (female) and Shehe Mvita. According to oral history and medieval commentaries, Shehe Mvita superseded the dynasty of Mwana Mkisi and established his own town on Mombasa Island. Shehe Mvita is remembered as a Muslim of great learning and so is connected more directly with the present ideals of Swahili culture that people identify with Mombasa.

The ancient history associated with Shehe Mvita and the founding of an urban settlement on Mombasa Island is still linked to present-day peoples living in Mombasa. The Thenashara Taifa or Twelve Nations Swahili lineages recount this ancient history today and are the keepers of local Swahili traditions. Even though today Mombasa is a very heterogeneous cultural mix, families associated with the Twelve Nations are still considered the original inhabitants of the city.

Being a coastal town, Mombasa is characterised by a flat topography. The town of Mombasa is centred on Mombasa Island, but extends to the mainland. The island is separated from the mainland by two creeks, Port Reitz in the south and Tudor Creek in the north.

Surburbs Of Mombasa

Mombasa Island

Kizingo: Considered the prime residential area of Mombasa. The State House of Mombasa, Provincial Headquarters, The Mombasa Law Courts, and the Municipal Council are located in Kizingo. The Aga Khan Academy, Aga Khan High School, Serani Primary School, Serani High School, Santokben Nursery School, Coast Academy, Jaffery Academy, Mombasa Primary School, Loreto Convent, Mama Ngina Girls' High School and the Government Training Institute (GTI) Mombasa are all in Kizingo as well.

Kibokoni: Part of Old Town with Swahili architecture. Fort Jesus is in Baghani.

Englani:Part of Old town between Kibokoni and Makadara.

Kuze: Part of Old Town with Swahili culture and architecture. Originally flourishing with Swahili people but currently becoming a more cosmopolitan neighbourhood.

Makadara: Part of Old Town consisting of a high number of descendants of Baluchi former soldiers who settled within this area before it developed into a town. The name is derived from the Arabic word Qadr-ur-Rahman meaning fate of God.

Ganjoni: Primarily a middle class residential, home of second biggest dry dock of Africa after the one in South Africa.

Tudor: Another middle class residential area with homes and shops. The Technical University of Mombasa (TUM)is situated in this neighbourhood.

North Coast

Nyali: Also considered a prime and up-market residential area, it is on the mainland north of the island and is linked by the New Nyali Bridge. It has numerous beach front hotels in the area known as the "North Coast". Nyali has two distinct sections – the posh Old Nyali and the upcoming New Nyali. For many residents, Nyali has now become a self-contained residential area, with two Nakumatts, a multiplex cinema, shopping malls, banks, schools and post offices. This often eliminates the need for residents to cross the bridge and to go into the congested Mombasa city centre. Nyali is home for the Nyali Cinemax complex, Mamba Village, the Nyali Golf Club, and some of the most prestigious academic institutions of the Coast Province.

Kongowea: is a densely populated area with 15 villages, two sub-locations and an estimated population of 106,180 residents.Kongowea is a cosmopolitan settlement mainly inhabited by people from mainland who migrated into the city in search of employment, mainly in service and manufacturing sector. The area is adjacent to the rich suburb of Nyali which employs a portion of the village residents. They are mainly hired as cheap labour as watchmen, gardeners, masons for up coming houses and house help. The most well known villages inside Kongowea include Kisumu Ndogo, Shauri Yako and Mnazi Mmoja, despite being located in this prime area, many residents live under extreme conditions – poor sanitation, high crime rate and lack of basic essential amenities like schools, hospitals and tap water. Kongowea is also home to one of the largest open-air markets in the African Great Lakes.

Bamburi: also an outlying township (fifteen minutes drive) along the Malindi road. Bamburi is the location of Bamburi Portland Cement Company. Other notable features in the area are the Mijikenda public beach, commonly known as Pirates, and Haller Park, a nature trail and wildlife conservatory. Kiembeni Estate, also in the Bamburi area, hosts around 100,000 residents. The estate has its own supermarket, several retail shops, salons and boutiques, and a number of licensed drinking dens. The establishments include The Shilla Bar, Turkey Base, Stars Garden and Sensera pub. Kiembeni is arguably the largest estate in Mombasa, and growing even faster.

Other areas include, Shanzu, Mkomani, Bombolulu, Kisauni and, across the Mtwapa creek, the popular area of Mtwapa, which is already located in Kilifi county.

The North Coast is famous for its broad entertainment industry which attracts locals and tourists as well.

South Coast

Likoni: is a lower income and lower-middle-class neighbourhood connected to Mombasa Island by ferry. It is south of Mombasa Island and made up of mostly non-Swahili Bantu tribes. The ferry was the target of the Likoni Riots of 1997.

Diani Beach: a beach resort area situated over the Likoni Ferry on the south coast of Mombasa. It is located some 36 km (22 mi) south of Mombasa city on the mainland coast and is a prime resort for many local and international tourists. Diani Beach has an airport at Ukunda town to cater for tourists who fly there directly from Nairobi Wilson or any other airports and airfields in the country.

Mombasa Mainland
Magongo: is an outlying township 20 minutes driving distance northwest of Mombasa Island, situated on the Nairobi Highway. This fringe community lacks any effective electricity, water or sewer systems, with a general lack of infrastructure. Poverty, lack of sanitation, and unemployment continue to be the greatest issues for the Mikindani Township, which have ensured low health and safety standards for its residents. Poor, lower class housing is widespread, ranging from simple stone, two-storey structures to mud and earth homes fitted with corrugated iron roofs.

Much of the community works outside of the township, within Mombasa Island itself as there is a lack of employment and industry. There are number of small health clinics, shops, and a few public primary schools: Nazarene primary is one school, which is known in particular as being staffed by a revolving volunteer teacher base from Western, and predominately English speaking nations. This small town serves as a link between the city and Moi International Airport. Magongo is also home to the Akamba Handicraft Cooperative.

Mikindani, a suburban area: This is an outlying township on the mainland along the Nairobi Highway. It is built in the heavy industrial sections of Changamwe and mainly accommodate the working class who either work in the industries, the town centre on the Island and the Port at Kilindini harbour.

Miritini: outlying township on the Mombasa Nairobi Highway which is first growing as a suburban area.

Changamwe: Industrial area which contains the Kipevu power generation projects, the Kenya Oil Refinery Company facility and housing estates such as Chaani and is the gateway to the Moi International Airport. The area has administrative offices of the D.O and the chiefs who serve the administrative division.

Migadini & Chaani: They are two adjacent estate that are located east of Airport road and east of Kenya Port Authority. They are bordered by Port Reitz, Magongo and KPA

Port Reitz: Is a suburb on the mainland which contains a beach, oil refineries, housing estates etc. Moi International Airport and the Port Reitz District Hospital are in Port Reitz.

Culture

A major cultural hub in Kenya and the African Great Lakes, Mombasa's proximity to Zanzibar, Nairobi and the Indian subcontinent, as well as its large shipping and maritime industries gives it a diverse mosaic of cultures. Music is a main feature of Mombasa's culture.

Religion
The majority of Mombasa's population is Muslim.This large population has recently adapted Arab immigrant practices into Swahili New Year. The celebrations of maulidi, a celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth, and shirk, the Mombasa adopted name for the Swahili New Year, have witnessed an increasing overlap of cultures within the city. This parallels increased migration of Muslim Arab immigrants in the region.

The Catholics are pastorally served by the Metropolitan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.

Music and nightlife
Taarab music, which originates from Zanzibar, has a prominent local presence. Styles of music native to Mombasa include the smooth and mellow Bango, fast-paced Chakacha and traditional Mwanzele.

Musicians of note are Mombasa Roots, Safari Sounds, Them Mushrooms, Anwar Juma Bhalo and Princess Farida. Mombasa has been the home or base for former greats like Fundi Konde, known for his song "Tausi"; Fadhili Williams and Grand Charo, famous for the song "Malaika"; Sal Davies; Malika Mohammed; Stara Butte; Juma Bhalo. Contemporary hip-hop fusion artistes are Susumila, Majizee, Nyota Ndogo, Cannibal (musician), Sharama and Ukoo Flani super group which once could boast up to 40 rappers.

Recently, hip hop, reggae, soul, blues, salsa and among the Indian community, bhangra have become popular, especially amongst the youth. Mombasa is mainly a tourism centre populated by hundreds of entertainment spots of all categories from night clubs, bars, hotels, fancy restaurants and many more. It has the most vibrant night life in Kenya catering to the mainly tourist population.

Sports

Currently, Mombasa is represented in the Kenyan Premier League by Bandari F.C, which plays at the Mbaraki Sports Grounds. Also, the Congo United FC, Promoted and dropped in 2011, are in the second tier Nationwide Super League with 4 other hometown clubs – Admiral F.C.; Magongo Rangers; Sparki Youth and Coast United.Derbies between Mombasa teams have become intriguing affairs recently.

Another team, Coast Stars, was relegated several years ago from the league. The only Mombasa-based team to win the league is Feisal F.C., the 1965 champions. Kiziwi leopards was a popular team in the 1980s as was Mombasa Wanderers decades before. There are several cricket teams in Mombasa. One of them is Mombasa Sports Club (MSC), whose ground was given ODI status in 2006. MSC has also a rugby union team playing in the Kenya Cup League, the premier rugby competition in Kenya. Mvita XI men and MSC ladies represent Mombasa in Kenyan field hockey leagues.

The 2007 World Cross Country Championships were held in Mombasa. Mombasa Marathon is competed annually in Mombasa. The town also hosts the biennial classic edition of Safari Rally and annually a Kenya National Rally Championship round.

Scuba diving takes place mostly within the Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve, which is managed and maintained by Kenya Wildlife Service. The park has a length of about 8 km (5.0 mi).

Business

Biashara Street, Mombasa
Mombasa is a major trade centre and home to Kenya's only large seaport, the Kilindini Harbour.Kilindini is an old Swahili term meaning "deep". The port is so-called because the channel is naturally very deep. Kilindini Harbor is an example of a natural geographic phenomenon called a ria, formed at the end of the last glacial period when the sea level rose and engulfed a river that was flowing from the mainland.

Mombasa is a centre of coastal tourism in Kenya. Mombasa Island itself is not a main attraction, although many people visit the Old Town and Fort Jesus. The Nyali, Bamburi, and Shanzu beaches are located north of the city. The Shelly, Tiwi, and Diani beaches are located south of Mombasa. Several luxury hotels exist on these beaches, while the less expensive hotels are located further away.

Mombasa's northern shoreline is renowned for its vibrant 24-hour entertainment offers, including both family entertainment (water parks, cinemas, bowling, etc.), sports (watersports, mountain biking and gokarting), culinary offers (restaurants offering a wide range of specialties from Kenya, China, Japan, India, Italy, Germany and other countries) and nightlife (bars, pubs, clubs, discothèques, etc.).

Other local industries include an oil refinery with a capacity of 80,000 barrels a day, and a cement factory capable of producing over 1.1 million tons per year. The major intercontinental undersea telecom cables reach shore next to Mombasa, connecting the African Great Lakes to the rest of the world and supporting a fast-growing call centre business in the area. The estimated real GDP growth for Kenya in 2016 is 5.7-6.0%. This growth will be in response to the construction of a railway system from Nairobi to Mombasa which will aid in trade and transportation between Kenya’s two major cities.

Mombasa will become a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in which certain industries such as tea, garments, and footwear will be exempt from certain taxes to promote domestic growth. This is in response to the deficiencies in Export Processing Zones (EPZ).

The Kenyan Dock Worker’s Union is situated in Mombasa and has roughly 5,000 members.

President Kenyatta has made it a priority to deepen economic ties with Asia at the onset of his presidency. Japan has played a role in financially sponsoring the expansion of the Mombasa port in phase one and two of the expansion project.

At 44%, the rate of youth unemployment in Mombasa is more than double the national average of 21% (2016).

Climate

Mombasa has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen: As). The amount of rainfall essentially depends on the season. The rainiest months are April and May, while rainfall is minimal between January and February.

As a sea port, Mombasa is subject to detrimental consequences of a fluctuating climate. In October 2006, Mombasa experienced a large flood that affected 60,000 people.

Costal erosion has become a problem for Mombasa infrastructure. Due to rising sea levels, the coastline has been eroding at 2.5–20 cm per year. This has increased the number of annual floods.


Air Transport

Moi International Airport serves the city of Mombasa. It is located in Port Reitz area, also known locally as Chaani area on the mainland metropolitan area. Flights to Nairobi and other Kenyan, European and Middle Eastern destinations depart from the airport. Besides Mombasa and Nairobi is well connected by chartered flights operated via Wilson airport.

Train Transport
Mombasa has a railway station. Kenya Railways operates overnight passenger trains from Mombasa to Nairobi, though the service is less extensive than it used to be.

Road Transport

Driving in Mombasa is straightforward and the majority of the roads are tarmacked. Main roads include Jomo Kenyatta Avenue, Digo Road, Nyerere Road, Nkurumah Road, Moi Avenue, Mama Ngina Drive, Barack Obama Road, Nairobi Highway and Nyali Road.

Highways connect Mombasa to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam while northward road link to Malindi and Lamu, which also extends towards the border with Somalia.

Within Mombasa, most local people use matatus or mini-buses which are extremely common in Kenya, to move around the city and its suburbs. The tuk-tuk—a motor vehicle with three wheels—is widely used as transport around the city and its suburbs. No more than three passengers may be carried. A boda-boda is originally a bicycle taxi but now a motor cycle taxi. Especially in cities, the bicycles are more and more replaced by motorbikes.

Sea Transport

Mombasa's port is the largest in Kenya, with 19 deep water berths with two additional berths nearing completion and two oil terminals.Rail connects the port to the interior.There is little or no scheduled passenger service. International cruise ships frequent the port.

Ferry Transport
There is no bridge between Mombasa Island and south coast, instead the distance is served by ferries operated by the Kenya Ferry Service from Kilindini and Mtongwe to Likoni in the south coast of Mombasa. In 1994, a ferry serving Mtongwe route sank and 270 or more perished.

As a result of the major build-up of more luxurious hotels in South Coast and a lack of a direct bridge linking the South Coast to the North Coast, visiting tourists have the option of flying directly into the South Coast airstrip using the domestic airline, Air Kenya.

Tourism

Mombasa is Kenya's main tourist destination. It is located on the Eastern coastline of Kenya bordering the Indian Ocean which has made it a popular destination for its beaches. Mombasa offers diverse marine life, world-class hotels and a friendly atmosphere. There is a tropical climate all year; it is a great destination filled with activities for all ages.

Mombasa is a Swahili founded and ruled city. It was founded between the 1st and 5th century. At certain times it was occupied by the Portuguese, Arabs and British and originated back in the 16th century. Mombasa's culture today still exhibits that of its past. Historical ruins like Forte Jesus de Mombaça (Fort Jesus), an historic Portugese fort, and the Old Town are attractions influenced by Mombasa's trade culture, with many examples of Portuguese and Islamic architecture

Entering Mombasa

By Air
The airport in Mombasa has been newly renovated and has increased the frequency of flights in and out of Mombasa from European cities. Kenya Airways offers the most as far as options for traveling to/from Mombasa.

By train
Train service is mainly provided between Nairobi and Mombasa. The advantage of traveling by railway is the ability to see wildlife up close. The train ride from Nairobi to Mombasa is estimated at 13 hours. There are meal accommodations and options of purchasing first or second class seats.

By Coach
Buses, while not a major mode of transportation within the city, are mostly used for traveling outside the city. The major provider of transportation in Mombasa is Matatu; the fleet consists mostly of fourteen-seater minibuses. Matatu is quite popular with the residents.

Touring
By taxi from center: to south beaches ; ca 30-35 dollar. To airport:10-12 dollar Matatu (minibus) in city Ksh 50 (0,65)

Travel by the local bus-taxis (Matatus)-they are mini-buses that are usually full of people to maximum capacity. They're cheap. The name derives from a Swahili term that refers to 'ma'penny - the original matatu cost three cents many years ago. They are all over and in huge numbers, and they're licensed stickers on the windshields. They are privately owned mini-buses regulated by the government. They are subject to extensive regulatory controls; a driver and bus can be pulled for the driver wearing a loud shirt. Taxis don't have taxi-signs on the roof, but license papers stuck to the windshields.

One can also travel using auto rickshaw's locally called tuk-tuks, which are three wheeled private taxis. They cost about the same as Matatus. Moving from one part to the city to another is quick with these "bikes". Ideally use them for distances below 20km as they can be noisy. On the plus side they are quite airy and allow you to take in the scenary as you go by.

Visit
Bombolulu Workshops. Bombolulu Workshops was founded in 1969 and is a project of the Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya (APDK). This center is a popular attraction for tourists and has 150 disabled employees who create jewelry, textiles, wood and leather crafts. It is the largest rehabilitation center in Kenya.

Hindu Temples. Attributes to Mombasa cultural diversity. Tourist/visitors are able to go inside the Temple accompanied by a guide from the Temple. Inside you will be able to see artifacts, idols and cultural pictures/paintings.

Mombasa Tusks. On Moi Avenue. The tusks were built in 1956 to celebrate Princess Margaret's visit to Mombasa town. They are located at the entrance to the city; they are not made of ivory as is sometimes thought, but of aluminum. An interesting thing to note is that the tusks form dual archways over each side of the road creating the shape in entirety of an 'M' for Mombasa or Margaret!

Old Town. Located around Ft. Jesus, this historic district has mostly been converted into souvenir shops and restaurants. A nice place to explore on a Sunday when much of the city is closed down.

Colobus Trust nature walks and conservation volunteering at Diani Beach.

Mtwapa Creek is a place to visit on Mombasa's North Coast. An Indian Ocean inlet with some small marinas and beautiful tropical vegetation. Very famous for bird watching, mountain bike tours around the creek, and starting point for deep sea fishing trips. Mtwapa is also famous in Mombasa for its clubs and active nightlife. To get here from the city center, take a matatu from Digo road.

Nyali Theatre featuring Hollywood and Bollywood new releases (500 KSH), with bowling alley, casino, and Italian Restaurant. Have some Indian bhelpuri, a type of chaat (hot puffed rice, vegetables and tangy tamarind sauce) while you're there. Taxi from centre - 800 KSH, Tuk Tuk- 300 KSH. Matatus plying the Mkomani or Nyali routes - 30 ksh (Ask to alight at "Cinemax").

Kinazini Funzi Dhow Safaris, (1 hr south of Mombasa off main Tanzania Rd, bus transport from all beach hotels included), Every day.

Funzi Island via Dhow a traditional Arab sailing ship), explore Ramisi River Mangroves by canoe for crocs and lots of bird life up close, bathe on a magical sandbank in the Indian Ocean, feast on a lobster and seafood BBQ on Robinson Crusoe Island. $105.

Haller Park (Bamburi Nature Trail), East Side of Links Road just North of Nyali (North on Links Road to Nyali. Look for entrance on left or ask a local). 8:30 - 5:30. Small zoo that feels like a park. Animals include giraffes, hippos , monkeys, and a reptile house. Guides speak English, Spanish, French and other languages. Watch out for the monkeys. They are numerous and appear friendly but do occasionally bite. 1400.

Avicennia Island, info@kayakingkenya.com For South Coast adventures, Avicennia Island is unbeatable. Kayak silently through submerged mangrove forests; swim & sunbathe in the emerald waters of the Funzi Sandbar, enjoy a sumptuous seafood barbeque meal served at a delightful wooden banda (open structure, beach house, or shelter, sheltered from the elements). $90.

Go-Kart, (Shanzu, near Haller Park),Mombasa's motor sport arena – a place to chill with your friends and thrill with your kids. Whether you’re a budding Schumacher or a first-time driver, Mombasa Go-Karting has the experience and technical know-how to put you on the right track.There is a viewing veranda located in the bar and you can order food from the bar whilst you are watching the action on the track.

Shimba Hills National Park: the approximately 30km south of Mombasa situated National Park is mountainous with lush tropical vegetation. This makes it particularly attractive as most other well-known national parks of Kenya have steppe-like vegetation. The main attractions include the elephant habitat, the stocks of antelopes, the waterfall, the Mwaluganje forest and the many vantage points of the fabulous landscape.

Enjoy the famous night life of Mombasa. The night life and entertainment in Mombasa is broad and offers something for every taste. Many bars, pubs and nightclubs in many price ranges offer something for every taste and budget. From local bars to exclusive lounge bar, everything is available.

In the city center there are numerous coffee shops, small pubs and bars as well as some small to medium sized clubs. Nightlife "special kind" is mainly found in the village Mtwapa, north of Mombasa. Its called "the village that never sleeps".
Beaches of the North Coast

English point: Tiny sandy beach at Mkomani with view over the old town. Its a nice place to go but less for swimming than to enjoy the view.

Nyali Beaches: nice sandy beaches but due to the close distance to the town the water quality is poor and polluted. Its nice to walk along the shore when when you get tired of the hotel pools.

Bamburi Beach: Very nice beach with white sand and palm trees. Water quality is much better than at Nyali beach. Restaurants along the beach invite to sit under palm trees drinking a cold beer while watching people pass by. Due to the closeness to the town the beach is overcrowded on weekends or holidays.

Shanzu Beach: Very nice beach with white sand and palm trees. Less crowded than Bamburi beach.
Beaches of the South Coast

Tiwi Beach is a place to visit on Mombasa's South Coast. Quiet beach not spoiled by mass tourism. At low tide, you can swim in a tidal pool where tropical fish are trapped until the next tide comes in. Be careful to avoid the many sea urchins. Though there are relatively few people, there is a small cafe serving food and drinks.

To get to Tiwi from Mombasa, take the Likona ferry to the south by taxi (ca $ 50,00) from Mombasa city center. Alternatively, take public transportation from the city center by catching a matatu on Digo Road across from the post office. The matatu route is aptly named "Ferry" and the matatu touts will be happy to point out the correct vehicle.

The matatu drops passengers just outside the ferry, which is free for pedestrians. Take a another matatu going to Diani, but alight early at "Tiwi Spot". Hire one of the many motorbikes plying the main road to carry you the relatively short distance to the beach, since muggings have previously occurred on this stretch of road.

Diani Beach is the place to go. A fantastic long white beach with loads of watersports and primates to see. A night at '40 Thieves' beach bar is a great place to hang out with a few tuskers (beers). If you want to see one of the six primate species in South Coast Kenya visit the Colobus Trust, dedicated to primate rescue, research and conservation, for an informative walk and you may spot one of the many wild primates.

Shopping
Kenya Shillings is the form of currency. However Euros and USDs are accepted. $25 USD = 20 Euros = 2000 Shillings. Credit Card and Debit Card uses are ok, however it is highly suggested to alert your bank that you will be traveling and using your card. This will avoid them from thinking that your card has been stolen and fraudulent charges are being made.

Mombasa Sandals, Located in most souvenir shops and from street merchants. Hand made sandals made from leather and old tires (for the soles), these stylish shoes are a great souvenir from Mombasa. Local craftsman use colorful beads and pieces of leather to create a vast variety of shapes and decorations. No two pairs are alike. 500 ksh.

African Fabrics, Available in curio shops and markets throughout the city. Mombasa is one of the best place in Kenya to buy lesos (khangas) and kikois. Lesos are colorful printed fabrics that come in pairs and are traditionally worn by Swahili women. Kikois are typically striped or plaid and are typically worn as shawls.

Lesos are sold at around 350 ksh, while Kikois are around 500 ksh. Prices vary with quality and may be higher in areas with lots of foot traffic from tourists,notably in Mombasa Old Town outside Fort Jesus.

Dining
Mombasa is known for their diverse cuisines from Swahili, Indian, Chinese, Korean, and Italian cultures. They offer an abundance of resturants and eateries to choose from including establishments with freshly caught seafood.

Mikaye Restaurant - Fort Jesus, Sir Mbarak Hinawy Road.Mikaye is an authentic fusion restaurant. Mikaye a honorable woman in dholuo sets the guideline for the restaurant- entailing good food, admirable service, great ambience hence a formidable culinary experience. With a scenic view of Fort Jesus, the decor of the restaurant is modern with strong African influences. . The food is essentially a fusion of African food with touches of international cuisine. Biriani, Pilau , Kuku Kienyeji, Tilapia , Mataha Ksh 500.

Chinese Restaurants

Chinese Galaxy - is the most visited Chinese cuisine attraction. They offer fine dining, and a wide range of selections including house specials.

Seafood

Tamarind - On the island. It is the most popular with tourists. It overlooks Old Harbour and offers freshly caught seafood, exotic menus, nightlife and entertainment.

Variety

POA Restaurant & Grill - Tembo Entertainment Plaza on the North Coast, near the Nakumatt Nyali Shopping Centre. Large menu ranging from snacks, burgers to specialties from Germany, Italy, India, China, Thailand, as well as seafood. Open throughout the night, from 6pm to 6am.

Blue Room - which offers a self-serve cuisine ranging from 'Indian Bites' to other items like burgers, pizza, and ice cream.

Drinks
There are quite a number of good bars, pubs and Entertainment Spots in Mombasa Town and the North Coast. Night Life is very vibrant in Mombasa.

Bob's Bar, Nyali. Lively and popular bar located near Tembo. This bar and grilll is where a lot of great nights out get started.

Fontanella Beer Garden, (Moi Avenue/Digo road Junction). Relaxed atmosphere right in the middle of the city affordable meals and drinks.

Club Lambada- Mtwapa, (Mtwapa Town). 24Hrs. Located in the north coast with offering all night disco and cabaret shows food drinks and accomodation

Sheba Lounge, (City Mall Nyali). Rooftop Bar Great Music and atmosphere

Tulia House and Camp, Off links road, Nyali, Mombasa. Based in the heart of the entertainment area of Nyali in Mombasa, Tulia House and Camp offers a range of accommodation to suit every individual and every budget.

Mikaye Restaurant Nyali, Links Road Nyali (First roundabout from the Shell Petrol Station Nyali), 7am -1am. The best Whisky Roof Top Bar in Mombasa. Mature Clientele great for a romantic evening or a night out with friends. Ksh 500.

Accomodation

There are many accommodations to choose from when visiting Mombasa.

Budget
Tulia Backpackers, Mombasa Nyali, Tulia Backpackers has become the best alternative for Backpackers coming to the Kenyan Coast.

Karama hotel. 1000KSH inc. breakfast. Mwembe Tayari Rd. nr Coast bus office....its on google maps. clean, quiet.

Mid-range

Lambada Holiday Resort at Mtwapa Creek, on Mombasa's north coast. The resort consists of 60 spacious rooms, entertainment area, restaurant, hair salon, health bar, swimming pool, sports bar and modern conference facilities. Rates from $25 low season-$50 high season per person/night.

Villa Annchen,at Mtwapa Creek, on Mombasa's north coast. Very private atmosphere and huge natural stone pool. 4 guest room with king size beds and en suite bathrooms. Rates from $40 low season-$80 high season per person/night.

Hotel Sapphireat $20 per person you can stay at this hotel which offers 110 rooms and suites, catering providing food from various traditions and cultures, health club and gym.

Sun N Sand Beach Cluball inclusive resort providing accommodations for 298 guest rooms, Health Club, Pool, nightlife, and various activities. This resort is also children friendly.

Royal Reserve Safari and Beach Club offers accommodations for all, including RCI timeshare members. The resort is right off the coast with enjoyable nightlife, multiple restaurant selection with diverse cuisines, gym, pools, and friendly staff.

Safety
Several countries have issued warnings that the city centre is not safe during the night, that car-jacking is widespread and that robberies after sunset at the beaches can occur. Use common sense and a healthy dose of skepticism regarding your surroundings.

Health
For precaution don't drink tap water and be carefull with ice cubes. Its always wise to follow the old british role for the tropics:"Peel it, cook it or forget it". Mombasa has 3 major well equipped private hospitals with high standards: the Aga Khan Hospital, the Pandhia Memorial Hospital and the Mombasa Hospital. Many smaller hospitals and clinics are spread out all over Mombasa and the North Coast.

Moving Out
Transport to get out of Mombasa include regional flights and Bus coaches. Apart from Mombasa beaches, other tourist destinations in East Africa are Tanzania Game parks and beach resorts in Mombasa Island. Tanzania game parks are rich in wildlife species and beauty scenery on its wilderness savanna. This game parks are National parks,game reserves and conservation areas.

Some famous National parks are Serengeti,Tarangire,Lake Manyara,mount Kilimanjaro,Ruaha, Selous game reserve,mikumi and Ngorongoro conservation area.These are among wildlife safari destinations recommended in Africa. Mountain climbing,walking safaris, bird watching and photographic safaris.

Get out of Mombasa is through bus transport and regional flights. Bus from Mombasa to Moshi Tanzania and Arusha are available and organized.

Get out of Mombasa by flight is through Kenya airways,Precision Air and Regional Air. Booking flight tickets is easier and flight tickets are also cheap.

Most wildlife safaris are organized in Arusha and begin in Arusha city while Mount kilimanjaro climbing trips begin in Moshi, Tanzania. Moshi is a tourist town located at Kilimanjaro slopes and kilimanjaro trekking adventures begin here.

After enjoying Mombasa beach holidays, some travelers want to experience to climb highest mountain in Africa with 5 ecological climatic zones.

KENYA: Air Kenya

Airkenya Express is an airline based in Nairobi, Kenya. It operates domestic scheduled and charter services, as well as scheduled flights to Tanzania. Its main base is Wilson Airport, Nairobi.

Airkenya Express was formed and started operations in 1987 from the merger of Air Kenya and Sunbird Aviation. The two companies had over 20 years of general aviation experience in East Africa.

Airkenya Aviation became Airkenya Express in January 2007.

The airline is wholly owned by a Kenyan-controlled consortium and has 165 employees. It carried 100,000 passengers in 2014, as against 120,000 in 2013.

AirKenya has two wholly owned subsidiaries: Regional Air Services in Tanzania launched in 1997 and AeroLink in Uganda launched in 2012.

AIRKENYA Helicopters got a boost when the second brand new helicopter, an AIRBUS AS 350 B3E arrived a week ago in Nairobi. The new helicopter with options for flying with both doors open is well suited to the hot and high altitude flying excursions offered across the country and the Eastern African region.

Airkenya's expert pilot/guides whose knowledge of Kenya and her eco-systems offer greatly informative scenic flight experiences.

Transfers by air, including JKIA - Nairobi (Karen, Westlands, Runda) - clearly aimed to beat Nairobi's notorious traffic jams - and vice versa are also available now. At only US$1,500 for up to 5 passengers with 15kg in soft bags inclusive of VIP assist at JKIA can visitors with deep pockets fly to their hotel of choice, or a heliport near them and be in their rooms while ordinary folks are still boarding their vehicles at the airport parking.

Services
Airkenya Express Limited operates to the following airports:

Destinations:

- Amboseli (Amboseli Airport)
- Ukunda / Diani Beach (Ukunda Airport)
- Lamu (Manda Airport)
- Lewa Downs (Lewa Airport)
- Malindi (Malindi Airport)
- Maasai Mara (Keekorok, Kichwa, Musiara, Ngerende, Olekiombo, Serena, Shikar and Siana airstrips.)
- Meru (Mulika Lodge Airport)
- Nairobi-Wilson
- Nakuru
- Nanyuki (Nanyuki Airport)
- Samburu (Samburu Airport)
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport)

KENYA: Jambojet Apologises To Passengers After Delayed And Cancelled Flights

Jambojet has apologised to thousands of holidaymakers who were stranded for three days at various airports after its flights to various holiday destinations in the Coast region were delayed and cancelled at the eleventh hour.

The domestic carrier conceded that the flight crisis was caused by excess booking of passengers and its failure to lease additional flights the current festive season.

In a statement, Jambojet customer service manager Mary Mwangi said the carrier's existing smaller aircraft could not accommodate the high volume of booked passengers.

“We apologize to all concerned for the unpleasant nature of this entire experience and assure all that we are doing our utmost to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” said Ms Mwangi.
She added: “We, at Jambojet, have had some unexpected technical challenges on our Q400 fleet that operates most of our coastal routes. Additionally, the delivery of our newly leased aircraft initially scheduled for introduction during the peak season was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances and will only be delivered in early 2017,”.

“As a result of the combination of these factors as well as the unavailability of aircraft of the same capacity, we have had to reschedule flights and carry passengers on smaller aircraft. This being high season, we have a high volume of booked passengers all of whom cannot be accommodated on these smaller aircraft,”

“We have therefore [endeavoured] to fly more frequencies with these smaller capacity aircraft and also re-route remaining passengers via Mombasa and put other passengers on Kenya Airways flights, where seats are available, to get them to their destinations,”

On Tuesday, hundreds of passengers flying to Lamu for this year’s Maulid festival were stranded for two days at Malindi Airport.

Most of affected passengers were travelling from Mombasa, Malindi and other coastal towns to the archipelago for the annual Islamic festival, which is scheduled to end this weekend.

The Kenya Airways-owned firm booked the stranded passengers in some of hotels in Malindi town before putting them on early morning flights on Wednesday and Thursday.

Others opted to forfeit their flights and travelled by public service vehicles plying between Mombasa and Lamu, a journey that takes almost nine hours due to security checkpoints mounted between Garsen in Tana River and Mokowe in Lamu County.

Some of passengers who were to fly from Malindi to Nairobi were ferried by road to Mombasa before boarding flights at Moi International Airport.

Similarly, scores of passengers who were to travel directly to Ukunda airstrip to enjoy their holidays in various hotels in South Coast were instead flown to Mombasa airport and transferred by road to reach their destinations.

Kenya Coast Tourism Association (KCTA) chairman Mohammed Hersi expressed his dismay over why Jambojet had booked passengers heading to Ukunda on a bigger aircraft that could land at Ukunda airstrip before diverting the plane to Moi International Airport, Mombasa.

“Why would you sell more tickets than you can handle then you take a bigger aircraft that cannot land in Ukunda. Passengers heading to Ukunda chose a direct flight to avoid the pain at the ferry and you go ahead to subject them to the same pain again without any qualms,” stated the KCTA chairman.

Two months ago, Jambojet announced additional flights to all destinations within the country including Lamu ahead of the festive season.

Jambojet Chief Executive Officer Willem Hondius said: “We are cognizant of the increased demand for flights during the festive season as people go on holiday or travel back home. We want to ensure that we provide our customers with value for money, greater choice as well as flexibility with the additional frequencies.”

He announced the carrier would increase flights to Mombasa from 22 weekly to 31 and 20 flights per week to Kisumu, Eldoret and Ukunda and 16 weekly flights to Malindi from 13.

KENYA: Jambojet Dissapoints Passengers, With Delays, Cancellations And Negligence

'They should be sued for the damage they caused to our travel plans' shouted a passenger from Kenya, who had been booked to travel to Lamu on Jambojet but was offloaded at Malindi's Airport and left to fend for himself and his family.

Jambojet, one of Kenya's low cost airlines, had over the past days, according to affected passengers, set new lows for dealing with delayed and canceled flights, in particular vis a vis response times of emails and social media queries, where, if at all, template replies appear to have been copied and pasted by Jambojet staff.

Only days after the full impact of the delays became public did the airline finally admit what aviation pundits had already established, that technical issues with one of the airline's leased Q400's saw the entire schedule literally fall apart, with travelers booked to the Ukunda airfield close to the Diani beaches being dumped at the main airport in Mombasa, having to make their own way to their resorts.

'I booked my flight to Ukunda because I want to avoid the dreadful drive through Mombasa and then the agonizing wait at the ferry. Flying directly saves many hours each way and Jambojet stole those precious vacation hours from us. How can an airline just dump us in Mombasa when our ticket says Ukunda. To make it worse, where was the station manager and duty manager of the airline? This will have consequences, that is all I can tell you right now' ranted another Nairobi based regular reader, fuming with anger.

Meanwhile, Tourists at Diani airstrip Kwale county welcomed by Miss tourism drawn from all 47 counties on Mar 28th 2015, Jumbojet a KQ product made its first stop in Diani Kwale County.

Hoteliers at the Coast have accused low-cost carrier Jambojet of “dumping passengers” midway their journeys and delaying flights. Through their lobby group – the Kenya Coast Tourism Association – the hoteliers said the carrier has been dumping passengers destined for Ukunda and Malindi at the Moi International Airport (Mombasa).

“Passengers heading to Ukunda chose a direct flight to avoid the pain at the ferry, and you go ahead to subject them to the same pain again without any qualms. Why don’t you just sell what you can handle instead of giving a false promise of having the capacity to land in Ukunda or Malindi,” KCTA chairman Mohammed Hersi said. He said the inconveniences are hurting domestic tourism , a blow to hotels. However, Jambojet said it has had “unexpected technical challenges” on its fleet that operates most of its coastal routes.

“Additionally, the delivery of our newly leased aircrafts initially schedules for introduction during the peak season was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, and will only be delivered in early 2017,” the management said in a statement yesterday.

This, it said, has forced the carrier to reschedule flights and carry passengers on smaller aircrafts, while re-routing others via Mombasa using Kenya Airways flights. “We apologise to all concerned for the unpleasant nature of this entire experience and we will resolve the issue,” the management said.