We cannot see our way to the port: sea captains
The peace at Senti Kumi area in Likoni is likely to end after buildings close to the lighthouses in the area have been marked as being a nuisance to sea captains entering the port of Mombasa.
Recently, the National Land Commission Chairman Mohamed Swazuri said that the buildings close to the lighthouses are interfering with the vision of the sea captains.
He adds “the sea captains have been grumbling on the same.”
The NLC boss pointed out that the notice had been given last year for the residents to move out of the area.
“We gave a notice to people who have built houses close to lighthouses. Sea captains are complaining that they cannot see their way to the port.” Prof Swazuri insisted saying they will tell people to vacate soon.
“We will soon tell people to vacate because the iron sheet reflects with the lights from the light houses and then it gets hard for the sea captains to see,” he added.
The residents, however, complained that they have yet to receive any vacation notice vowing to fight tooth and nail for what they claim to be their rightful share
According to the locals there are people acting in a manner to take advantage of the situation with the view of grabbing the area.
Through the Senti Kumi Community Group, the area has been described as a ‘peaceful hub’ that would impact negatively if the residents are forced to vacate the place they have occupied for several years.
The group’s chairman Collins Ochieng says they have heard such a story way back in 2016 that the houses are interfering with navigations but it was never put on paper that they should vacate.
“We were told that there are buildings that block navigation systems,” he adds.
But according him the politicians and tycoons have seen an opportunity to grab or rob of the parcel of land they have transformed from a bush to a peaceful residence.
This, he say will adversely affect more than 50 households that house a substantial number of families that will nowhere to go when evicted from the area.
The commission chair says that more than 37 plots belong to the Kenya Ports Authority that had been grabbed by squatters at the Likoni subcounty.
“There are more than 37 plots belonging to KPA which have been grabbed. We gave out a gazette notice last year and the period in which the people should have vacated has already elapsed,” Prof Swazuri says.
The NLC, KPA and Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) are, however, expected to have a joint meeting to identify how many people have to vacate so that the process can begin.
Ends…..
The Coast Reporter
The Ministry of Devolution and Arid and Semi Lands has pledged to set up a directorate to oversee the proper functioning of County Economic Blocs (CEBs).
Addressing journalist in Mombasa recently, the principal secretary in charge of Devolution and ASAL Charles Sunkuli said the top organ will offer guiding principles and policies on the running of CEBs.
The PS, however, indicated that there exists a myriad of challenges in the operationalization of CEBs.
“The directorate will be in charge of overseeing the overall operation of CEBs throughout the country,” he stated.
Mr Sunkuli further said that there is a need to adequately address the challenges in order to ensure proper functioning of the CEBs.
He cited an improper legal frame-work and inadequate resources as some of the challenges facing CEBs adding that the ministry has spearheaded the development of a legal framework on CEBs.
“There are myriad of challenges including legal and institutional framework. The ministry has developed this policy to ensure that CEBs perform well,” he said.
On the other hand, Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya and the chairperson of Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani lauded the ministry for developing the county economic blocs policy.
Mvurya said the policy will ensure smooth running of all regional economic blocs throughout the country.
“This policy is just appropriate. It will help us implement most of our policies as a regional economic bloc” he noted.
He, however, noted that legal framework still remains a challenge to several regional economic blocs saying they should be done within the context of the law.
“The biggest challenge we have faced is the legal aspect. However all legislation should be done within the context of the law,” Mr Mvurya said.
On his part, Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi said that the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani previously faced a myriad of legal challenges.
He, however, added the governance structure of the CEBs policy by the ministry should be relooked into and streamlined.
“JKP previously faced a lot challenges but I want to say that we are on the right track. I have an issue with the governance structure something should be done to streamline the policy,” Kingi said
The Kilifi chief opined that counties should only belong to one regional blocs.
The one day public participation forum was attended by representatives from all the six coast counties.
