By M&M Reporter
A human rights group has called on the National Environment Management Authority to order for the demolition of Voyager Beach Resort in Mombasa owned by the Kenyatta family.
In a press conference held at a Mombasa hotel, Citizens Forum for Human Rights Protection (CFHRP) said the hotel is built on a riparian site. The demolition they said will send a strong signal the seriousness in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s fight against impunity. More so, the group said the demolition of this hotel will prove that there are no sacred cows in what the president has termed – a fight against impunity.
“If the first family property build on riparian land is brought down, who else would try to stop presidential order,” said Juma Kaingu, Chairman CFHRP adding that such move will boost the good work the president is doing to rid the country of graft and land grabbing.
Voyager is the flagship beach hotel of the Heritage Group of Hotels owned by the Kenyatta which also includes Kipungani Resort in Lamu, Great Rift Valley Lodge and Gold Resort, and Voyager Ziwani in Tsavo West. The group also owns Samburu Intrepids in Samburu County, Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer tented camps.
“We call upon NEMA to issue demolition order on beach hotels which have encroached on Riparian sites to demonstrate support to President Uhuru Kenyatta spirited fight against impunity. So far, we note that demolitions of buildings erected on riparian sites have been concentrated in Nairobi, yet the biggest crimes against nature are more pronounced in Mombasa and neighbouring counties of Kilifi and Kwale,” said Salma Kassim, CFHRP secretary.
Besides Voyager, the group wants the orders for demolition to be extended to Tamarind Beach Hotel, which is former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s favourite hotel at the Coast. Tamarind Beach Hotel is part of the Tamarind Group which also includes Carnivore Restaurant on Lang’ata road, Nairobi, owned by Martin Dunford.
Other properties that the group wants demolished for encroaching riparian sites include Shanzu Apartments and Baobab Beach hotel.
On August 10, 2018 NEMA distanced itself from the ongoing demolitions in Nairobi which have so far brought down Southend Mall in Lang’ata, Shell Petrol station and Java restaurant in Kileleshwa and Nakumatt Ukay. Also targeted for demolition is Oshwal Community Temple in Parklands.
Uhuru said on August 12, 2018 said he wants demolitions would continue until all riparian sites are recovered even though he was losing friends in the fight against impunity.
“I have been receiving many calls from friends… you know.. how can you watch just watch as these demolitions go on? You must stop it…. And I say to them, it is difficult to stop, not because we love to destroy, but we must fight impunity,” said Uhuru in a church service in Karen.
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