An application for the extension and alteration of a hotel that got Nation journalists arrested was filed by the Weston hotel, records from the National Environmental Management Agency (NEMA) now show.
A search through the environmental watchdog’s website reveals the agency approved the extension of Dolphin hotel in Shanzu under application number NEMA/EIA/PSR/6347.
A report by Nation shows that the agency also gave the hotel the go-ahead under registration number 301031560016 paving way for the alleged encroachment on sea land.
The Mombasa County Government and NEMA were put to task for failing to act on sea reclamation near the hotel and complaints of blocking an access road to the beach.
Government authorities, including Mombasa Land Executive Edward Nyale, NEMA officials and right activists toured the construction site on Friday, a day after two Nation Media journalists covering the alleged land grabbing were attacked and arrested.
[caption caption="A scene grab from the video on the attack."]
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The two journalists were NTV Senior Coast Cameraman Karim Rajan and his counterpart, Daily Nation photographer Laban Walloga, who were arrested while in the process of filming the construction of the hotel.
Rajan and Walloga recorded statements on the assault reports and detention at the Bamburi Police Station.
Reports indicated that some of the security personnel involved in the attack of the journalists were prison warders who’ve been offering 24hr security on the site.
In addition, four police officers working in shifts of two provided extra security, with police sources quick to point out that they were legally contracted.
“The beating of journalists and the security offered at this hotel is a sign it is owned by a very powerful individual,” Muslim for Human Rights (Muhuri) chairman Khelef Khalifa observed.
[caption caption="NTV journalists Karim Rajan (l) and Laban Walloga (r) with Haki Africa Director Hussein Khalid."]
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