Coast by-pass talks stall as leaders trade blame

By PATRICK BEJA

Mombasa County

A meeting to discuss a multi-million shilling shipping by-pass was called off after a standoff between an MP and rivals.

Residents and traders accused the leaders of holding back the construction of the Sh4 billion Likoni crossing in Mombasa.

The Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast chairman Titus Kangangi and his Kenya Tour Operators counterpart Monika Solanki asked the Government to ensure politicians don’t interrupt project meetings.

Kenya National Highway Authority had called the yesterday’s meeting at the Likoni CDF offices to begin consultations on resettlement of families to be affected by the project.

But local MP Masoud Mwahima and his predecessor Suleiman Shakombo engaged in a showdown.

"We fear conflicts between the two politicians could delay a project we have been pushing for in the last 20 years. We have suffered heavy penalties from overseas tour operators when tourists miss flights due to delays at the ferry," Mr Kangangi said.

Solanki said tourists were frequently delayed for between one and two hours at the ferry and wondered why opinion leaders were dragging personal interests in the by-pass project. "This project will add value to tourism and the boost the economy of south Coast and, therefore, should not be delayed," Ms Solanki said.

Mr Mwahima demanded the meeting be postponed, claiming those who attended were Mr Shakombo’s supporters.

"This meeting could not go on because it was attended by Shakombo’s supporters. A few people were informed about it. We need to bring more people on board particularly those from Mbuta area where the bypass will pass," Mwahima said.

Logistical issues

Shakombo protested when Likoni DC Lawrence Kinyua postponed the meeting to tomorrow citing logistical problems.

"This is a shame. Government officers should not allow themselves to be compromised by a politician. The DC should have taken charge and continued with the meeting," Shakombo said.South Coast Regional Commissioner Nelson Marwa and Highways authority official Walter Nyatwanga said they had agreed with Mwahima on the need to bring more people on board.

"We have decided to postpone the meting so that we can inform more people to attend and raise their concerns," Mr Marwa said.

Mr Nyatwanga said the Japanese lenders wanted the issue of resettlement compensation sorted out so that the project could roll out.