President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Mombasa on Thursday, October 17, where he will launch development projects in the region, ahead of Mashujaa Day celebrations slated for October 20, at Mama Ngina Waterfront.
The president's visit in Mombasa is set to calm down angry residents who had lashed out at President Kenyatta after he delayed to act when the Likoni Ferry tragedy occurred.
The head of state, had sent his condolence message to the family of Mariam Khigenda, 14 days after she and her daughter Amanda Mutheu, drowned in the Indian Ocean on Sunday, September 29. He later fired Kenya Ferry Chairman, Dan Mwanzo, on Wednesday, October 16.
In his itinerary seen by Kenyans.co.ke, President Kenyatta will preside over the launch of the national HPV vaccination exercise at Ziwani.
He will, later on, officiate the official opening of the Toyota Kenya assembly plant in Miritini.
The head of state will also attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
The president's visit is expected to calm outrage the had brewed in Mombasa ahead of Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The government through the Mombasa County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo banned all planned rallies in the county on that were scheduled for October 20.
The commissioner noted that the parallel meeting planned by traders and civil society groups in Mombasa at Tononoka Stadium was illegal and would not be allowed to continue.
The traders and civil society groups had also stated that they would boycott the Mashujaa celebrations
They claimed that the boycott had been triggered by the governments' refusal to reverse the order that all goods from the port needed to be transported via the SGR.
“We are inviting everybody, including those with SGR grievances. We want to warn that there will be no other meeting apart from the Mashujaa Day gathering. Let them try and they will be dealt with,” warned Katiyo, as he urged residents to ignore the boycott.
