Italians own more than 2,500 properties, [2][usurped] and the number of Italian residents in Malindi town and its environs, estimated at over 3,000, is the largest European population compared to other European populations elsewhere in the country.
The Italian embassy is the only foreign mission with a resident consul in Malindi to aid its population.
In the preelections held in November 2007 for the Kenyan general election, 2007 Mr. Amason Jeffah Kingi, an Advocate of the High Court, was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Magarini Parliamentary constituency and Mr. Gideon Mung'aro, the former Mayor of Malindi, was elected as a member of Parliament for the Malindi constituency.
Mr. Amason Kingi was consequently appointed to the cabinet where he served as the Minister for East African Community.
Tourism is a major industry while inland areas are rural.