KILIFI COUNTY

Malindi, stop building speculation on the beach

Governor Mung'aro against land corruption

03-06-2023 by Freddie del Curatolo

Malindi beach at risk of property speculation, Governor stops everything.
Kilifi County's number one has taken over the worrying past situation that has allegedly allowed private developers to grab land from the tip of Vasco Da Gama to the Sabaki River estuary, the so-called Malindi Bay beach area. Some have reportedly already started to close access roads, tear down boundary walls and demarcate spaces that should be public and at the very least allow hotels and private homes to enjoy access to the beach and the sea.

The building plan for the land was part of the plans, partly financed by the World Bank with the partnership of the British government, to make several recreational sites out of it, with even over-ambitious plans that would include a new golf club, a track through the dunes for quads and motocross bikes, and an aquarium. Groups of residents, however, have started to protest that this is not happening and that corrupt officials from the Ministry of Lands are behind it all.
According to The Standard newspaper, some local politicians have also called for action against land grabbers and corrupt officials in the ministry who are facilitating the illegal allocations.

"The allocation of coastal land should not be allowed. This is affecting genuine investors who have already bought land along the beach," former councillor Timothy Mwambogo told the newspaper.
According to Mwambogo, the allocation of the land to a private developer, instead of giving the County the opportunity to pursue its plans for tourist attractions and recreational centres, could give way to building speculation that would penalise existing hotels and facilities.
"We know what is happening at the Ministry of Lands in Kenya. There are cartels hiding behind these dubious actions," Mwambogo added.

The MP-elect in Magarini, Harry Kombe, assured that he will bring the matter to Parliament in Nairobi as soon as possible. Reassurances also come from Kilifi County Executive Committee member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development, Jane Maiki Kamto, who said she will not allow beach land to be encroached upon by 'grabbers' and that investors should have confidence that the county government will protect them.