Mombasa regains island status as bridge is ready

Makupa bridge stands out as one of the sites that have significantly changed the face of Mombasa.

The Makupa causeway which has lasted nearly a century has been transformed into a modern bridge and the environs turned into a recreational park.

Those who last visited the area several years back will be pleasantly surprised to find the infamous Kibarani dumpsite, whose content overflowed into the Port Reitz channel, no more.

Other sites that have received a facelift are sections of roads in Mombasa West, like the Changamwe interchange, which has eased traffic flow, particularly from the island and Port of Mombasa.

And as residents and conservationists plan to plant mangroves to fully restore the forest cover around Makupa bridge, many are happy that the status of Mombasa island has been restored, after the causeway built by the British colonial government in 1929 was replaced with the Sh4.5 billion bridge.

The causeway had hosted the dumpsite for 55 years. The foul smell from the dumpsite invited visitors as they made their way from the Moi International Airport into the island.

A private firm, Mombasa Cement, in partnership with the county government, has carried out a beautification programme right from the former Kibarani dumpsite to roundabouts such as Makupa to give Mombasa a new face.

Private developers later descended into the area and scrambled for space before the government slammed the brakes on them.

Mr Andrew Mwangura, a maritime consultant and resident, noted that blockage of the free flow of water between the Tudor and Port Reitz creeks at Makupa causeway had for many years affected marine life.

He noted this had in the past led the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to threaten Kenya with the delisting of Mombasa as an island.

"Construction of the Makupa bridges comes as a major relief to marine conservationists and residents as it restores Mombasa as an island city and gives the marine a new lease of life," he noted.

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned the construction of the 457-metre-long and 200-metre-wide bridge in December 2021.

The 120-metre Makupa causeway structure that stood between Tudor and Port Reitz creeks was reportedly interfering with the natural oceanic waves and the free flow of aqueous oxygen.

The causeway was blamed for the damage to fish breeding grounds and also for causing pollution.

Engineer Simon Omwono of the Kenya National Highways Authority said construction of the bridge was complete. He explained that workmen were currently doing the final touches to the bridge mainly on the walkways, and side rails and making road marks.

"Construction of the Makupa bridge is complete. What is happening on one side is the construction of a railway line by the Kenya Railways Corporation," he said.

The Makupa bridge is expected to end delays and reduce accidents even as it restores the status of Mombasa as a full island city that had been a long-standing concern to residents and conservationists alike.

Meanwhile, players in the tourism industry have expressed hope that Mombasa will be easy to market as an island destination after regaining its natural status following the completion of the Makupa bridge.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast Chief Executive Sam Ikwaye said Makupa was once a nightmare due to traffic jams. It was also an eyesore because of the dumpsite, but it is scenic.

Dr Ikwaye observed that tourists from Malindi and Diani are no longer delayed while going to the Moi International airport after the bridge was completed.

"Kenya Tourism Board can now ride on the Makupa bridge to market Mombasa. We'll plant mangroves and explore watersports in the future," he explained.