HISTORY OF MOMBASA

Mombasa has been in existence as an established town for some thirty centuries according to records by ancient Phoenicians, Egyptians and Chinese historians. The Town is located on longitude 390 41’ East and latitude 40 3’ South.  The gross surface area of the Municipality is approximately 260 1m2 extending 25km. along the coast and 16km. inland.

 It is characterized by incised creeks, which surround the island. Mombasa had been a town of contrast in leadership.  It has been ruled in turn by native Africans, Arabs, Portuguese, and the British.  Colourful Mombasa, an Island city with a blend of the ancient and the modern, is the principal port and the main gateway to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.  It is the oldest city and second in importance to Nairobi (the capital city) and is among the most interesting and picturesque historic centers on the coastline East Africa.

Mombasa Municipal Council was established in 1928 as a Board by the Local Government amendment Ordinance. It has a resident population of about 1 million people.  These people are represented in the Council by elected and nominated councilors. The Board was elevated to Municipal status by the 1959 Municipality Ordinance.  The Board took over a number of responsibilities such as Town Planning, Schools and Housing that were under the District Commissioner. This Ordinance extended the area of jurisdiction of the New Municipality to coincide with the area of the Administrative District.  It aslo increased the council’s planning and development responsibilities.

Currently the Council covers an area of 278 Km square. On 4th July, 1963 the Municipality Council of Mombasa was reconstituted under the Local Government (Municipality of Mombasa) Order 1963. The membership constituted under the Local Government (Municipality of Mombasa) Order 1963, consisted of 6 aldermen and 24 Councilors – 18 elected and 6 nominated by the Minister for Local Government.  Today the reconstituted Council has 42 Councilors – 32 elected and 10 nominated.

Some of the current responsibilities of the Council include provision of Primary Schools, Health, Roads Maintenance and Town Planning, Sports Welfare, Street Lighting, Cleansing Services, Housing and other social Services to residents of the town.

 
About Mombasa Town

The coastal city of Mombasa is one of Africa's major tourist destinations, with some of the best beaches in the world. Located on Kenya's Eastern coastline bordering the Indian Ocean, Mombasa has become popular for its exotic beaches, diverse marine life, world-class hotels and friendly people.

Mombasa's history dates back to the 16th century, and it has been ruled by the Portuguese, Arabs and British-which have all influenced the town's culture and the attractions that still exist including historical ruins such as Fort Jesus and the Old Town.

Mombasa's beaches offer a host of activities for kids and adults alike such as deep-sea fishing and water sports. Tours of the town, safaris in game parks, and camping can all be planned through travel agencies within the city. Hotels also incorporate these activities as part of their entertainment, with the aim of making the trip to Mombasa the ultimate holiday experience! Complementing its diverse culture, Mombasa's restaurants offer an array of tastes sprinkled across the town. Delicacies include freshly-caught seafood-made to order on a dhow while you watch the sunset and hear the live band playing your favourite Abba song. Nightlife in Mombasa is always exciting, and the clubs and casinos can keep you going all night long. So when you next think of taking a vacation, doing some travelling, or simply having to enjoy yourself, think about Mombasa and all that it has to offer-we promise you'll have the time of your life!

 
MOMBASA AIRPORT

The Moi International Airport is an architectural symbol of Mombasa's growing investment in tourism. It has been newly-renovated, and a new terminal has been built to facilitate larger aircraft and increased passenger traffic. As a direct result, many of the major airlines that operate out of the airport have increased both the number and frequency of their flights, in particular from major European cities. Smaller airlines operate local and regional flights within Kenya and East and Southern Africa respectively.