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Alarm in Mombasa Old Town over influx of street families

A street in Old Town, Mombasa County, as pictured on May 19, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Residents say the street families which were driven out of the CBD are causing a rise in insecurity and could tarnish the area's reputation where tourism is concerned.

Residents of Mombasa's historic Old Town are concerned about a surge in the number of street families in the area renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Fort Jesus.

The families were driven out of the central business district (CBD) in an operation early in May by a multi-agency task force that included the Mombasa County Government and the National Police Service.

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The ongoing exercise aims to rid Mombasa's streets of beggars, muggers, street families, and juvenile gangs.

Deputy Governor Francis Thoya, who is leading the campaign, noted during the operation that the county is strongly committed to tackling the growing threat posed by these groups.

So far, however, Old Town residents say the street families have flocked to the area and are behind a rise in insecurity and disturbances, which they fear could deter tourists and ruin the community's reputation.

"We are seeing more cases of petty theft and harassment. Tourists come here to experience our rich history, not to be hassled by people on the streets," Salim Mohammed, a local shop owner, told The Eastleigh Voice in an interview on Tuesday.

The situation has become particularly concerning with the ongoing visit of the Bohra community, which has travelled from various parts of the world for a significant religious gathering.

"Our visitors are having a hard time. They come here expecting a peaceful and enriching experience, but instead, they are met with unpleasant encounters," said Mariam Ali, a resident

Another resident, Hussein Shuaib, voiced his concerns about the sanitation issues caused by the influx.

"These families have turned the ocean into their toilets. It is not only an eyesore but also a health hazard. The stench is unbearable, especially in the evenings,” he said.

Locals are also worried about night safety.

"They are roaming around even as late as 1 am," said night guard Yusuf Ali, who said nobody is safe. “We have also seen a spike in muggings."

The community urged the county government to act swiftly.

"They need to find a sustainable solution for these street families without compromising our security or the tourism sector," said Fatima Ahmed, a local.

The operation that saw the street families leave the CBD was intended to clean up the city's central areas, but residents argue that the problem has simply been transferred to other locations.

“We understand the need to address homelessness, but moving them here to a place that relies heavily on tourism was not the right decision. We need proper facilities and programmes to support these families," Fatuma said.

Thoya highlighted the pressing need to tackle the growing number of muggings and robberies carried out by young individuals posing as beggars and street dwellers.

"We have seen numerous cases where youths, pretending to be beggars, attack and rob people in the city," he stated and warned foreign nationals pretending to be beggars, saying they would be found.