The National Police Service was set to be compelled to deploy more police officers at the Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa, which former President Uhuru Kenyatta launched.
Ali Noor, the manager of the public park, divulged to the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife on Friday, March 31, that revellers usually engaged in controversial and criminal activities inside private cars.
“People with their cars and park them at the park for sexcapades. This is the norm, and it is difficult to deal with the issue.
"This place is frequented by many people, especially during weekends,” Noor detailed.
He pleaded to the committee to ensure enough security is deployed to the facility, refurbished at Ksh460 million. The department will thus press NPS, under Inspector General Japhet Koome, to act.
“We have nabbed many people in the act. Some people come here with ill intentions, including criminals, who come here to cause harm to revellers.
“It is hard for the police manning this facility to know good and bad people. But dirty things happen here including those who use their vehicles as brothels,” added Noor.
The committee toured the 26-acre park, meeting stakeholders, including security officials.
John Ololtuaa, the Principal Secretary for tourism, added that there was a need for increased security in the tourist attraction area.
However, committee members castigated the management for allegedly harassing couples minding their “personal business”.
Committee members praised Lamu West MP Ruweida Obo for defending revellers arrested in their private cars.
“We have received complaints from members of the public over harassment by the police whenever they visit this park. This should stop.
“At times, police officers forced the revelers to open their car windows, and peep to see the occupants of the private vehicle,” she commented.
The Mama Ngina Waterfront was refurbished and opened in 2019. It is the largest public park in Mombasa County.
