President Kenyatta commissioned a Sh460 million project in Mombasa to create a modern waterfront a public square, two gateways, a Swahili cultural centre, pigeon coops, paved path, space for restaurants, modern market and an amphitheatre among other utilities set to be developed.
However days after President launched the multimillion-shilling project to give Mama Ngina Drive a facelift, the National Land Commission (NLC) has revealed that most of the land does not exist as it has been grabbed.
Out of a total 26 acres of the land only 6 has been left to the public , Swazuri claims that 13 people have grabbed the 20 acres.
“We are giving those people claiming to own the parcel of land time to return it. After three months, we would have repossessed all of it,” said Mr Swazuri when he visited the site on Thursday with Mombasa Lands minister Edward Nyale and Land ministry officials.
Mr Kenyatta directed the NLC and Lands ministry to ensure they reclaim the land.
“I want NLC and Ministry of Land to ensure that when we return here to officially launch the project after construction, the public land should have been repossessed and reverted to public use,” he said.
The facelift is part of an ongoing project to bring back the glory of the coastal city by turning it into a leading and competitive world-class tourism destination.
Completion of the project, which is jointly implemented by the Tourism ministry and Mombasa County government, is scheduled for May.
The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and the county government.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala and Governor Hassan Joho will launch the project today.
Coast Regional Coordinator Bernard Leparmarai and Tourism Principal Secretary Joe Okudo were among government officers who inspected the preparation of the launch on Sunday.
According to the government, the park will also create employment for locals.
The project is expected to transform Mombasa into a leading and competitive world class tourism destination.
Mombasa Tourism chief officer Innocent Mugabe and the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers said Mombasa would join great tourism cities around the world that have been weaved around waterways.
“Waterfronts cities like London, Dubai or Cape Town are among the most toured. Mombasa will be in company with San Francisco with her famous Fisherman’s Wharf, a melting pot of tourism on the West Coast of North America,” Mr Mugabe said.