MPs stop reclaiming of Indian Ocean by private developers

The Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Natural Resources has halted the ongoing dumping of solid waste from the Kibarani dumpsite to the Indian Ocean along the Makupa Causeway in Mombasa.

The dumpsite was shut down by Governor Hassan Joho a month ago but the waste is being dumped into the sea.

The area is set to be turned into a recreational park.

Committee Chairman Kareke Mbiuki termed the situation as “land grabbing”.

He said thirsty land grabbers have been using dumpsites as a ploy to grab land.

PROBE SEA GRABBING

He invited the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate sea grabbing in Kibarani.

He also directed the Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko to ensure the process of decommissioning the oldest dumpsite in Kenya’s tourism hub does not affect marine life.

Speaking when the members of the committee visited the ongoing reclamation at Kibarani, Mr Mbiuki said the UN had warned that the tourism hub will soon cease to be an island following the wanton reclamation of the Indian Ocean by private players especially at the causeway.

LOSING MOMBASA

“We are losing Mombasa as an island because the only part which was left was Makupa of which only a hundred metres channel is remaining and still Kibarani waste is being dumped into the remaining waters. We will ensure that the glory of Mombasa Island is maintained,” Mr Mbiuki said.

Mr Mbiuki said the orders will protect marine life in the Kenyan waters. He at the same time accused a firm in Kibarani of dumping waste into the sea.

“Mombasa Cement should stop harmful process. The CS should ensure that the process of pushing solid waste in the sea is stopped immediately. Kibarani dumpsite was an eyesore hence its relocation is a noble objective but we are against the dumping garbage into the sea. The relevant authorities should take action,” ordered Mr Mbiuki.

SUMMONS

The committee said it will summon the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, Mombasa Cement, Makupa Transit Shade Limited and Multiple Hauliers to Nairobi on August 9, to table documentary evidence on where they got licenses and who gave them approvals.

“Because Multiple Hauliers and Makupa Transit Shade Limited own more than eight acres each into the sea, we want the National Land Commission to tell Kenyans who owns Kibarani dumpsite,” Mr Mbiuki added.

He said sea grabbing is high level corruption which is killing Kenya’s marine life and is spreading to the entire ocean.

Mr Mbiuki expressed shock at the wanton encroachment of the sea which he said is a major concern to the international community especially Unesco.