Mombasa calls in extra security agents for Easter holiday visitors
What you need to know:
- tAirports and other public places heavily guarded as police ask wananchi to report suspicious characters.
- Officers from various agencies have been deployed at the airport, beaches and the Likoni channel.
Security has been beefed up in Mombasa ahead of the Easter holiday, which starts this weekend.
Officers from the General Service Unit, regular and tourist police, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Maritime Authority have been deployed at the airport, beaches and the Likoni channel.
Yesterday, Mombasa county commissioner Nelson Marwa assured locals and tourists coming over to celebrate Easter that the destination is safe.
The national government had tightened security around the town, the Moi International Airport and tourist hotspots, including beaches as well as the Likoni channel.
BEACH AND FERRIES
“Let all locals and visitors coming to Mombasa to celebrate Easter rest assured that it is safe for vacations,” he said.
The government, he added, had set up a police team at Likoni to secure ferries, which transport about 300,000 people and 6,000 vehicles daily.
He appealed to residents to volunteer information to police if they come across suspicious people to help officers fight crime.
Mr Marwa called on Mombasa residents to embrace the Nyumba Kumi concept, which calls for vigilance.
“Anybody suspected of threatening peace should be reported to the police immediately,” he added.
Moi International Airport manager Yatich Kangugo said security had also been beefed up at the airport.
“Vehicles are being screened thoroughly before being allowed in or out of the airport”, he said, adding that local and international passengers and their luggage we being thoroughly examined.
Kenya Wildlife Service assistant director Arthur Tuda said rangers would be patrolling the beach to ensure the safety of visitors.
He added that police have also been deployed at Mombasa national marine park.
VOLUNTEERS MOBILISED
“No vehicles will be allowed to access beaches for security purposes while luggage must be checked,” he explained.
Kenya Maritime Authority director-general Nancy Karigithu said the agency will on Good Friday mobilise 250 volunteers to create awareness on how to remain safe on the beach. Rescue centres will also be set up at the Jomo Kenyatta Public, Shelly and Mombasa beaches.
She said many visitors do not know how to ensure their safety.
“We want to ensure the safety of visitors and residents who will go to the beach.
‘‘Consequently, we have rolled out a major awareness campaign,” she said.
Public transport firms said they will cooperate with police by stopping for regular checks.
Matatus are expected to be busy from today as thousands of people travel from Nairobi and other parts of Kenya to Mombasa for Easter.
