A section of lawmakers from Governor Hassan Joho-led Mombasa County is preparing a battle over Mama Ngina Waterfront, which is valued at Ksh460 million.
People Daily, on Tuesday, October 22, reported that the lawmakers were dissatisfied by the appointment of the board members whom, they claim, the assembly was not consulted.
They further maintained that the officials in charge of the facility, which was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta, kicked out several traders who were yet to be re-allocated them another space.
“Currently we are on recess but when we resume next week on Monday, October 28, I will bring this matter up in the assembly because there are two issues.
"The issue of the board and that of the small-scale traders who were relocated to pave way for the refurbishment,” Mji wa Kale Ward MCA Amur Murfahad confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke via WhatsApp.
The state had earlier assured that upon completion, the park could be free for Kenyans to visit and do business in but a number of small-scale traders in the coastal town are skeptical about it.
“The President said that small businesses existed since the reign of the late ‘Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’ and therefore no businessman shall be relocated,” decried Edwin Charo, a vendor who used to sell items at the park.
The board in question was unveiled by Tourism CS Najib Balala who appointed former Shipping and Logistics expert Brown Ondego as chairman.
He further revealed that the state had received the title deed of the six acres that the park occupies.
After commissioning the project, Uhuru stated that the government expected the park's uplift would contribute to mainatining Mombasa's stature as a major tourist destination in the region.
