Marwa, MCAs in war of words over planned airport eviction

Mombasa County Assembly Deputy Speaker and the Airport Ward county representative Rashid Msabaha (centre) addresses the press over the proposed destruction of structures around the Moi International Airport in Mombasa on April 5, 2016. The planned eviction of nearly 10,000 families living near the airport has triggered heated exchanges between Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa and a section of county assembly members. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • A planned eviction of nearly 10,000 families living near Moi International Airport in Mombasa has triggered heated exchanges between Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa and a section of county assembly members.
  • While Mr Marwa has vowed that the residents must vacate the area for security reasons, the MCAs say the families have lived there for decades and any eviction has to follow laid down procedures.
  • In a letter dated November 18, 2015 to National Land Commission Chairman Muhammad Swazuri, Mr Marwa said there was need to relocate those living there for security reasons.
  • But the MCAs said there was no way they could let more than 10,000 people suffer simply because Mr Marwa was “bent on evicting them no matter the consequence”, adding that it was the county government’s mandate to plan how land should be used.

A planned eviction of nearly 10,000 families living near Moi International Airport in Mombasa has triggered heated exchanges between Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa and a section of county assembly members.

While Mr Marwa has vowed that the residents must vacate the area for security reasons, the MCAs say the families have lived there for decades and any eviction has to follow laid down procedures.

In a letter dated November 18, 2015 to National Land Commission Chairman Muhammad Swazuri, Mr Marwa said there was need to relocate those living there for security reasons.

“Continued inhabitation and mushrooming of structures adjacent to the airport can be exploited by terrorists as potential hideouts and launch sites for attacks targeting airport facilities, aircraft and passengers,” he said in the letter.

On Tuesday, Mr Marwa said: “The proposal to demolish the houses and other structures was proposed by a security team for security reasons. They must leave because their continued stay there is a security risk.”

“I am not relenting on this. We met as a security team and proposed the matter to the National Land Commission. How can we have garages just outside the airport? The airport is a critical facility which must be protected. They should not poke their noses on issues they don’t understand,” he maintained.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT MANDATE

But the MCAs said there was no way they could let more than 10,000 people suffer simply because Mr Marwa was “bent on evicting them no matter the consequence”, adding that it was the county government’s mandate to plan how land should be used.

“He cannot purport to make decisions on behalf of the people of Mombasa without involving the county government,” said Mswabah Raship, deputy speaker and MCA airport ward.

“If he has any information pertaining to the land, he should communicate appropriately to the relevant county governments.”

Mr Marwa, who spoke about two hours later during the inauguration of Nyali sub-county commissioner, retorted: “You think you can fix Marwa by raising those issues? Do you think the government can plan something without any proper strategies? Go to Tanzania or Uganda and see if they have garages at their airports.”

Kongowea Ward Representative Jabess Oduor also dismissed his fellow MCAs saying they should not oppose for the sake of it.

“Let Mr Marwa go ahead with his plan. Were it not for him this county would have people selling drugs and killing others without any action being taken,” he said.

Mr Marwa said those to evicted would be compensated.