Chale boardwalk opens to visitors as community eyes tourism, conservation gains

Chale boardwalk opens to visitors as community eyes tourism, conservation gains

Chale boardwalk opens to visitors as community eyes tourism, conservation gains

Read this story aloud

Listen to the clean text version of this article

Ready
4 min listen
Audio reading is not supported on this browser.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano presided over the launch of the project alongside a mangrove restoration exercise, describing it as an example of community-driven conservation

A newly constructed community boardwalk in Chale, Kwale County, has been opened to the public, with organisers introducing entry charges of about Sh200 for Kenyan visitors and Sh500 for foreign tourists.
The project, situated along the coast, is expected to attract visitors while supporting environmental protection efforts and creating income streams for residents. Community members expressed hope that the initiative will improve livelihoods through tourism-related activities.
According to project manager Suleiman Ronga, the boardwalk brings together several local groups, including conservation bodies, Beach Management Units and Kaya forest communities, with deliberate efforts to include marginalised groups such as the Makonde.

More To Read

• Kenya eyes MICE tourism to drive 5 million annual international visitors by 2028
• Governor Abdulswamad Nassir pushes for open skies policy to boost tourism, investment
• Mombasa showcases coastal heritage as Our Ocean Conference draws global visitors
• Tourism stakeholders warn Ebola misinformation is hurting travel bookings
• Kwale residents warn of loopholes in medical supply chain, call for stronger oversight
• Kwale reconstitutes Public Service Board as Governor Achani warns against tribalism in hiring

“The initiative focuses on preserving key ecosystems such as mangroves, coastal waters and sacred forests, while also equipping young people with skills linked to conservation and alternative livelihoods,” he said.
Ronga noted that the site will offer visitors an opportunity to explore mangrove habitats and experience local culture, including traditional cuisine, attire and performances.
The current structure stretches about 100 metres and was built at a cost of Sh5.7 million, with plans for future expansion.

Latest Stories

• Taita Taveta County unveils cooperative fund to boost rural access to credit
• Lilian Odira targets personal best and Diamond League final after dream victory in Eugene
• Karua, Matiang’i demand arrest and resignation of PS Fikirini over Cecil Ouma shooting
• A Super El Niño is coming: Five hard‑won lessons the world can learn from Africa

He, however, pointed to infrastructure gaps, calling for government support to improve access roads, water supply and electricity, as well as to promote the site to a wider market.
“Increased human activity around the area could help curb illegal mangrove harvesting and enhance protection of fish breeding zones. Plans are also underway to introduce sustainable crab farming,” he said.
Chale Boardwalk in Kwale County. (Photo: Courtesy)
Local groups are already preparing to benefit economically. Reheme Kubambanya, treasurer of the Chale Muungano group, said women in the area expect to earn income by selling handmade goods and other products to visitors.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano presided over the launch of the project alongside a mangrove restoration exercise, describing it as an example of community-driven conservation.
She said the initiative demonstrates cooperation between state agencies, development partners and residents.
The programme is being implemented by the Wildlife Research and Training Institute with support from the UNEP Go Blue Project, focusing on linking conservation with income-generating activities.
Miano said the development could help limit environmental damage while opening up opportunities in tourism and nature-based enterprises.
She also noted that more than 10,000 mangrove seedlings had been planted as part of the exercise, highlighting their role in protecting coastlines and supporting marine life.
Wildlife Research and Training Institute Director General Patrick Omondi said research findings had identified numerous ecological benefits within the Chale marine area, arguing that conservation efforts can deliver both environmental and economic returns.
He called for further investment to scale up the project and strengthen community resilience to climate change.

Other Topics To Read

Top Stories Today

• Karua, Matiang’i demand arrest of PS Fikirini over Cecil Ouma shooting
• Taita Taveta to launch cooperative fund to boost rural credit access
• World Champion Lilian Odira beats Keely Hodgkinson in Eugene thriller
• Coast leaders rally support for 10-point agenda, reject divisive politics
• A Super El Niño is coming: Five lessons Africa can teach the world
• Faith Kipyegon reveals hamstring injury after rare defeat in Eugene

`;
}

return “;
}

function commentActionsMarkup(comment, canComment) {
const likeLabel = comment.liked_by_me ? ‘Liked’ : ‘Like’;
const likeCount = Number(comment.like_count || 0) > 0
? “
: ”;

const likeButton = canComment && comment.status === ‘approved’
? “
: “;

const replyButton = canComment && comment.status === ‘approved’
? “
: ”;

return `

`;
}

function commentMarkup(comment, canComment, isReply = false) {
const pendingBadge = comment.status && comment.status !== ‘approved’
? “
: ”;

const edited = comment.is_edited
? “
: ”;

const repliesHtml = Array.isArray(comment.replies) && comment.replies.length
? `

`
: “;

return `

`;
}

function replyFormMarkup(commentId) {
return `

`;
}

function setNotice(widget, message, type = ‘info’) {
const notice = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”notice”]’);
if (!notice) return;

if (!message) {
notice.hidden = true;
notice.textContent = ”;
notice.classList.remove(‘is-error’);
return;
}

notice.hidden = false;
notice.textContent = message;
notice.classList.toggle(‘is-error’, type === ‘error’);
}

function setCount(widget, total) {
const count = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”count”]’);
if (!count) return;

const num = Number(total || 0);
count.textContent = num === 1 ? ‘1 comment’ : `${num} comments`;
}

function openReplyBox(widget, commentId) {
widget.querySelectorAll(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’).forEach(box => {
box.hidden = true;
box.innerHTML = ”;
});

const targetItem = widget.querySelector(`.ev-comments__item[data-comment-id=”${commentId}”]`);
if (!targetItem) return;

const replyBox = targetItem.querySelector(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’);
if (!replyBox) return;

replyBox.hidden = false;
replyBox.innerHTML = replyFormMarkup(commentId);

const textarea = replyBox.querySelector(‘textarea’);
if (textarea) textarea.focus();
}

function closeReplyBox(container) {
if (!container) return;
container.hidden = true;
container.innerHTML = ”;
}

async function initCommentsWidget(widget) {
const state = {
articleId: Number(widget.dataset.articleId),
loadUrl: widget.dataset.loadUrl,
storeUrl: widget.dataset.storeUrl,
commentsBaseUrl: widget.dataset.commentsBaseUrl,
canComment: widget.dataset.canComment === ‘1’,
page: 1,
perPage: 10,
sort: ‘newest’,
total: 0,
hasMore: false,
busy: false
};

const list = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”list”]’);
const loading = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”loading”]’);
const empty = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”empty”]’);
const loadMoreBtn = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”load-more”]’);
const sortSelect = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”sort”]’);
const composerForm = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”composer-form”]’);

async function loadComments(reset = true) {
if (state.busy) return;

state.busy = true;
setNotice(widget, ”);
loading.hidden = false;

if (reset) {
state.page = 1;
list.innerHTML = ”;
empty.hidden = true;
}

try {
const url = new URL(state.loadUrl, window.location.origin);
url.searchParams.set(‘page’, state.page);
url.searchParams.set(‘per_page’, state.perPage);
url.searchParams.set(‘sort’, state.sort);

const response = await requestJson(url.toString(), {
method: ‘GET’,
headers: {
‘Accept’: ‘application/json’,
‘X-Requested-With’: ‘XMLHttpRequest’
}
});

const items = Array.isArray(response.data) ? response.data : [];
const meta = response.meta || {};

state.total = Number(meta.total || 0);
state.hasMore = !!meta.has_more;

setCount(widget, state.total);

if (reset) {
list.innerHTML = ”;
}

if (!items.length && reset) {
empty.hidden = false;
} else {
empty.hidden = true;
list.insertAdjacentHTML(
‘beforeend’,
items.map(item => commentMarkup(item, state.canComment, false)).join(”)
);
}

loadMoreBtn.hidden = !state.hasMore;
} catch (error) {
if (!list.children.length) {
empty.hidden = false;
empty.textContent = ‘Unable to load comments right now.’;
}
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to load comments.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
loading.hidden = true;
state.busy = false;
}
}

async function submitTopLevelComment(form) {
const textarea = form.querySelector(‘textarea[name=”content”]’);
const button = form.querySelector(‘[data-role=”submit-comment”]’);

if (!textarea) return;

const content = textarea.value.trim();
if (!content) return;

const originalText = button ? button.textContent : ”;

try {
if (button) {
button.disabled = true;
button.textContent = ‘Posting…’;
}

const response = await requestJson(state.storeUrl, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: buildJsonHeaders(),
body: JSON.stringify({
article_id: state.articleId,
content: content,
source_url: window.location.href
})
});

textarea.value = ”;

if (response?.data) {
list.insertAdjacentHTML(
‘afterbegin’,
commentMarkup(response.data, state.canComment, false)
);
empty.hidden = true;

if ((response.data.status || ”) === ‘approved’) {
state.total += 1;
setCount(widget, state.total);
}
}

setNotice(widget, response.message || ‘Comment posted successfully.’);
} catch (error) {
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to post comment.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
if (button) {
button.disabled = false;
button.textContent = originalText || ‘Post comment’;
}
}
}

async function submitReply(form) {
const commentId = Number(form.dataset.commentId || 0);
const textarea = form.querySelector(‘textarea[name=”content”]’);
const button = form.querySelector(‘.ev-comments__reply-submit’);

if (!commentId || !textarea) return;

const content = textarea.value.trim();
if (!content) return;

const originalText = button ? button.textContent : ”;

try {
if (button) {
button.disabled = true;
button.textContent = ‘Posting…’;
}

const response = await requestJson(`${state.commentsBaseUrl}/${commentId}/reply`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: buildJsonHeaders(),
body: JSON.stringify({
article_id: state.articleId,
content: content,
source_url: window.location.href
})
});

if (response?.data) {
const parentItem = widget.querySelector(`.ev-comments__item[data-comment-id=”${commentId}”]`);
if (parentItem) {
const repliesWrap = parentItem.querySelector(‘.ev-comments__replies’);
if (repliesWrap) {
repliesWrap.insertAdjacentHTML(
‘beforeend’,
commentMarkup(response.data, state.canComment, true)
);
}
}
}

closeReplyBox(form.closest(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’));
setNotice(widget, response.message || ‘Reply posted successfully.’);
} catch (error) {
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to post reply.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
if (button) {
button.disabled = false;
button.textContent = originalText || ‘Post reply’;
}
}
}

async function toggleLike(button) {
const commentId = Number(button.dataset.commentId || 0);
if (!commentId) return;

const originalHtml = button.innerHTML;

try {
button.disabled = true;
button.innerHTML = ‘Working…’;

const response = await requestJson(`${state.commentsBaseUrl}/${commentId}/like`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: buildJsonHeaders(),
body: JSON.stringify({})
});

const liked = !!response?.data?.liked;
const likeCount = Number(response?.data?.like_count || 0);

button.classList.toggle(‘is-liked’, liked);
button.innerHTML = `${liked ? ‘Liked’ : ‘Like’} ${likeCount > 0 ? “ : ”}`;
} catch (error) {
button.innerHTML = originalHtml;
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to update like.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
button.disabled = false;
}
}

if (composerForm) {
composerForm.addEventListener(‘submit’, function (e) {
e.preventDefault();
submitTopLevelComment(composerForm);
});
}

if (sortSelect) {
sortSelect.addEventListener(‘change’, function () {
state.sort = this.value || ‘newest’;
loadComments(true);
});
}

if (loadMoreBtn) {
loadMoreBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function () {
if (state.busy || !state.hasMore) return;
state.page += 1;
loadComments(false);
});
}

widget.addEventListener(‘click’, function (e) {
const likeBtn = e.target.closest(‘[data-action=”toggle-like”]’);
if (likeBtn) {
e.preventDefault();
toggleLike(likeBtn);
return;
}

const replyBtn = e.target.closest(‘[data-action=”toggle-reply”]’);
if (replyBtn) {
e.preventDefault();
openReplyBox(widget, Number(replyBtn.dataset.commentId || 0));
return;
}

const cancelReplyBtn = e.target.closest(‘[data-action=”cancel-reply”]’);
if (cancelReplyBtn) {
e.preventDefault();
closeReplyBox(cancelReplyBtn.closest(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’));
}
});

widget.addEventListener(‘submit’, function (e) {
const replyForm = e.target.closest(‘.ev-comments__reply-form’);
if (replyForm) {
e.preventDefault();
submitReply(replyForm);
}
});

loadComments(true);
}

document.addEventListener(‘DOMContentLoaded’, function () {
document.querySelectorAll(‘.ev-comments’).forEach(initCommentsWidget);
});
})();

Trending

Eight arrested in Marsabit over Sh1.2 million SIM swap fraudNorthern Kenya
|Bashir Mbuthia
|1 day ago

Faith Kipyegon reveals hamstring injury after rare defeat as focus shifts to second half of seasonAthletics
|Erick Kariuki
|3 hours ago

Somali Embassy hosts Kenya leaders, diplomats for 66th Independence Day celebrationsSomalia
|Abdirahman Khalif
|7 hours ago

Six killed as matatu, trailer collide head-on along Nakuru-Eldoret highwayNews
|Rachael Mutabasi
|1 day ago

Court declares Ruaraka School land public, rules Sh1.5 billion payout illegalNews
|Carolyne Kubwa
|1 day ago

Mbappé fires France past Paraguay into World Cup quarter-finalsSports
|Erick Kariuki
|12 hours ago

Taita Taveta County unveils cooperative fund to boost rural access to creditCoast
|Farhiya Hussein
|18 minutes ago

Lilian Odira targets personal best and Diamond League final after dream victory in EugeneAthletics
|Erick Kariuki
|1 hour ago

Pakistan to host next round of US-Iran talks on July 11Middle-East
|XINHUA
|7 hours ago

Kenyans urged to join Saba Saba march to honour victims of alleged abductions, killingsNews
|Lucy Mumbi
|10 hours ago