TravelTill

History of Wasini Island


JuteVilla
The Island is sparsely populated and undeveloped. There are no cars or roads. A site of early Swahili civilization, this coral island is occupied by the Vumba people, an indigenous group of Bantu speaking peoples who have a rich history. They speak Swahili and Kivumba and they number about 1500. Mkwiro and Wasini are the two villages present on the island - each at opposite ends. Their history includes invasion and settlement of Arab influence from the Persian Gulf states, and from the island of Zanzibar, further south.

Paradoxically, the island is some 10 km from the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park. This park annually attracts many thousands of overseas and local tourists per year. The Kenya Wildlife Service monitors activities and there is a per visitor entry fee. These fees are not recirculated currently within the auspices of the collection area - instead they are remitted to Headquarters in Nairobi. The majority of visitors arrive on prepaid packages organised outside of the Island and outside of Shimoni. The larger operators are foreign owned. Many such organisations claim to operate responsible tourism - eco tourism. The tourist numbers generated in the area over the years are not monitored for environmental or socio economic impact.

Shimoni, across the channel, is the stopping off point to reach this island, and is some 75 km south of Mombasa.

Women groups on the island have established a nature walk in the beautiful coral gardens on the Western end. Proceeds help needy Wasini students and other Wasini benefactors. On the northern end there is a well established, but rudimentary orphanage. These indigenous Non Government Organisations and self-help groups supplement an activity across the water at Shimoni whereby visitors frequent the "Shimoni Slave Caves" - a community based project. Though it is questionable to what extent and what part both locations played in the Slave Trade, it
previous12next
JuteVilla