Precis of Mombasa City

A place where modern flare and exotic traditional cultures converge, Mombasa city is a commercial center located on an island that is more than three thousand years old.

Located along the Kenya's east coast in the coast province, Mombasa is a cosmopolitan port town due to numerous influences generated by foreign and local merchants and explorers both ancient and modern that have at one time or another occupied or ruled the island.

An important cultural and economic hub in the East African region, Mombasa is the 2nd largest and important Kenyan city after Nairobi. Separated from the mainland by Port Reitz and Turdor creek, the port town is linked to the mainland by Nyali Bridge and Likoni Ferry to the north and south respectively, Makupa Causeway to the west, and using the Kenya-Uganda Railway to penetrate the interiors.
History & Politics
Mombasa city's history read like an old housewife tale, punctuated by political, social, cultural and economic struggles, triumphs, rises and descents. From tales passed on across generations:

• The founding of Mombasa is linked to Shehe Mvita and Mwana Mkisi with the former superseding the latter's dynasty to establish his town on the island. The Name Mombasa come from Arabic word Manbasa
• Present Swahili culture and ideals are deeply embedded in the island as established by Mvita, a muslim scholar
• History has it that the 12 Swahili lineages originated from Mvita, who are considered the indigenous Mombasa residents

In pre-modern times, the port city was a strategic point along the inter-continental trading route to far countries such as China, Persia, and India etc., especially in trading ivory, spices and gold.

Mombasa became a megalopolis of plantation society, heavily relying on slave labor with ivory trade rising to greater heights and increasing the city's economic wealth in the process.

• In 1500, Mombasa came under attack by the Portuguese
• Portuguese would for the 2nd time attack Mombasa in 1528 and in an effort to colonize the port town, in 1593, they built Fort Jesus
• Mombasa city became a Portuguese colony in 1638
• Later in 1698, Mombasa became subordinate to Zanzibar, under the reign of Sultanate of Oman
• There were almost 200 or so years of tussle of rule ship between Oman and the Portuguese, with numerous governors, known as liwali, overseeing the town until the town became independent in early 1800s
• In 1898, the town was officially presented to the British by Sultan of Zanzibar, becoming Uganda Railway's sea terminal and British East Africa Protectorate's capital
• The town began prospering as more workers from British India were brought in to build the railway line

Under the British rule, Mombasa was in 1920 made the capital of coastal Protectorate of Kenya until 1963 when it was made part of independent Kenya.

• Under Kenya's new constitution, Mombasa city is within Mombasa County
• Since independence, locals here have protested the unfair land distribution and ownership of significant portions of land by foreigners. This has contributed to the establishment of vigilante groups such as the MRC, who operate under the cover of fighting for the rights to land.

Demographics
Mombasa is significantly a heterogeneous city, with people from varied religions, cultures and origins. It's also worth noting that the people here are still very conservative and superstitious.

• There are more than 1 million people living in Mombasa
• Although other tribes from interior and outside Kenya are present here, majority of the people are Mijikenda and Swahili people
• Predominantly a Muslim town, other religions such as Catholic and Protestant, etc., are free to practice
• Conversations among locals are carried on using Swahili language, English being used in official settings only

Weather
Located at the sea level, Mombasa city experiences tropical dry and wet climate that features:

• Intense humidity throughout the year
• Varying quantity of rainfalls determined by seasons
• April and May are the wettest months and January and February are the driest.
• Average temperature highs and lows are of 320 C and 220 C respectively

Property Demographics
A favorite property investment destination by foreign investors due to its diverse tourist attractions and favorable climate, this port city has significant portions of untapped property investment opportunities.

• Superstition among the locals has hindered development of high-end properties for their own ownership. Instead, investors from outside the city own such properties.
• Acquiring property here is an intricate and costly affair given that majority of land does not have title deeds
• Housing development is below standards with most locals preferring to build semi-permanent structures
• With decentralization of Kenyan government, Mombasa city is bound to set new heights in expanding its property market

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