Tourism Stakeholders Want Government to Condemn Illegal Buildings on Beaches

By Julius Mwabonje

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Kilifi County tourism stakeholders and conservationists have called for immediate action against investors who construct illegally on the beaches within protected areas.

This follows the recent tragedy where a construction worker died and several others sustained serious injuries when a section of a five Storey building collapsed in Twiga area of Watamu.

The stakeholders mainly from Malindi and Watamu said there is a mushrooming of high-rise buildings under construction in a section of beaches which were being built in beaches within the resort town which could have negative repercussions on tourism and the environment.and asked the government to bring them down.

Rita Valentini, an Italian conservationist who lives in Malindi, said the tragedy at Twiga Beach Resort was a disaster in waiting as everyone watched high-rise buildings go up illegally in an area where a project of such magnitude was not supposed to be.

“This being one of the most beautiful beaches in the Kenyan Coast, everyone knew yet no one acted; today Kenya is enjoy growing International credibility and is attracting investment thanks also to Italy’s Mattei Plan and support from the European partners,” she said.

Valentini said there was need for authorities to fully to accept the responsibilities accorded to them.

She said investors who observe the laws must be protected while those who seek to build illegally must be stopped.

“The Malindi Coastal area with its extraordinary marine and natural heritage includes sites internationally recognized by UNESCO for the outstanding Universe value. It deserves to be protected and respected,” she said.

The conservationist said public authorities are key in ensuring they safeguard the natural heritage to avoid spoiling it adding that she has been battling against such injustices of illegal construction for two years till now and the battle is still on.

According to her the authorities have failed to answer key question on who authorized such illegal developments that are a major environmental threat and tourism.

“Protecting the environment, Upholding the rule of law and stopping illegal developments are no longer matters of choice they are essential if we want to prevent tragedies like this from happening again,” she said.

The luxurious five storey building under construction at Twiga beach in Watamu Collapsed on Monday afternoon.

The government authorities visited the site and said investigations have begun to establish circumstances that led to the disaster.

The controversial building is reportedly being built within the 60 meters from the high-water mark which is illegal but the Investor allegedly got approvals for the construction despite protests from community and conservationists.

A spotcheck along the building still under construction showed there were cracks which were a threat not only to the construction workers but even tourists who will occupy it once its complete.

Ahmed Mohamed, a resident of Watamu who is an engineer, said the materials used for construction of the resort were substandard and weak.

He said an area where the contractor was supposed to use strong D16 metals he used very small ones that could not hold the building at the basement.

Mohamed also called on the government authorities to bring down the building to avoid a bigger danger and disaster in waiting.

Furaha Nzai, a beach operator, blamed the investor at Twiga beach for the disaster saying he was using corrupt means to obtain approvals risking the lives of the workers and the community at large.

She said as beach operators they were evicted by the investor with a promise that he would build them new curio shops but never did so.

According to her it was strange that government authorities allowed the construction of the project which sits on a riparian land adding that currently the beach which used to be clean is full of rocks that were removed from the project site.

Hamisi Kombe, a beach operator, said the locals were not consulted during the project was being proposed and the locals were against it from the beginning.

He said the investor was not engaging locals on anything about the project or working closely with them.