Mombasa Billionaire Behind Ksh 700M Tourist Attraction Removes Sculptures After Fallout

Mombasa Cement Limited owner and director Hasu Patel supplies water to Mombasa Residents in 2021.
Mombasa Cement Limited owner and director Hasu Patel supplies water to Mombasa Residents in 2021.
Photo
Mombasa Cement

Mombasa Cement Managing Director Hasmukh Patel removed elephant sculptures in Makupa roundabout, Mombasa on Wednesday, May 24, following a tiff with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.

The trouble started when the county government allegedly stopped the businessman from paying hospital bills which he does on a regular basis.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Nassir’s aide described the fallout a storm in a teacup and that the governor would soon address the nation concerning the matter.

Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir during the celebration of World Radio Day at Mombasa county on February 13, 2023.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir during the celebration of World Radio Day at Mombasa county on February 13, 2023.
Photo
Media Council of Kenya

“There is no problem. That is propaganda. At first, there was a miscommunication which is why the CEC for Health (Swabah Ahmed) wrote a letter stating that no one is stopped from helping people.

Mombasa Cement can continue with their work and no one is stopping them,” he stated.

Hours after the phone call, the famous wildlife sculptures were seen being loaded onto trailers signaling that all was not well.

Reports indicated that the businessman was moving the sculptures to Kilifi County.

Origin of the Dispute

In April 2023, a memo by the county government halted private individuals from donating money to pay medical bills.

The memo seemed to be taking aim at Hasmukh Patel, also known as Hasu, who is popular for his philanthropic activity.

On Friday, May 19, an aggrieved citizen petitioned the High Court of Mombasa to quash the directive pending a judicial review. The request was granted meaning Hasu could still go on with his philanthropic activity.

The businessman took the drastic step of removing his sculptures after feeling slighted by the current governor even though he worked closely with the previous governor, Ali Hassan Joho.

In 2008, the media-shy entrepreneur started Sahajanad Feeding Centre, which provides meals for the poor and pays bills for patients who are stuck in hospitals due to huge medical fees.

In December 2021, Kenyans.co.ke reported how he converted the infamous Kibarani dumpsite into a Ksh700 million tourist attraction. It is now known as the Kibarani Recreational Park.

Apart from Mombasa Cement, he also runs Corrugated Sheets Limited in Kenya and Tororo Cement Limited in Uganda.

Animal sculptures at Kibarani Recreational Park
Animal sculptures at Kibarani Recreational Park in 2021.
Photo
Kibarani Recreational Park