Mama Ngina Waterfront Park in Mombasa, Kenya, was once a beautiful public space for people to enjoy the stunning view of the Indian Ocean.
The park was refurbished in 2019 and envisioned by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as an iconic world waterfront to attract local and international tourists. However, five years after reopening, it has become a brothel, with locals trading sexual favors in the area.
The park’s manager, Mr. Ali Noor, accused a section of Kenyans of turning the recreational facility into a brothel. He urged the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife to ensure tourist police are deployed to the area to boost security and bring back the waterfront’s diminishing glory. The cases of indecent activities have decreased with increased patrols in the park and after a police post was set up in the area.
However, the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife warned the police against harassing visitors thronging to the area. The committee said the security officers have no mandate to involve themselves in personal issues in private cars. Many tourists love visiting the place to chew khat, watch as vessels pass the Likoni ferry channel, and enjoy the breeze. However, many have been shying away recently due to police harassment.
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Mama Ngina Waterfront Park was envisioned as a world-class destination for tourists. It is a 26-acre waterfront space that can comfortably hold up to 25,000 people and has been a common venue for local and national events. The park’s location overlooking the Indian Ocean makes it a unique and desirable destination. But the recent activities in the area have cast a dark cloud over the park’s potential.
The MPs have called for the park to be spruced up to attract more tourists and return its lost glory since it has the potential to be a beautiful space where people can enjoy themselves without fear of harassment or indecent activities. Mama Ngina Waterfront Park’s management must take the necessary steps to prevent the park from turning into a brothel and maintain its original purpose as a public space for everyone.
