Coast

Mombasa residents protest developer’s blockage of critical access route in Jomvu

Ongoing construction of border wall around a developers property in Mwamlai, Jomvu Constituency. Photo: Farhiya Hussein.

By Farhiya Hussein | Thursday, July 4, 2024

The neighbourhood members accuse the developer of violating a previous agreement to leave a 12-foot-wide passage for public usage.

Residents of Mwamlai in Jomvu constituency are outraged by a developer's conduct, claiming he has blocked a vital access road to their neighbourhood.

The people are upset because the developer built a border wall around his property without providing a pathway for the town.

The neighbourhood members accuse the developer of violating a previous agreement to leave a 12-foot-wide passage for public usage. They are concerned that the closure may make it difficult to access crucial services such as fire engines and ambulances, as well as disrupt local trade.

Daniel Nyamoi, a longtime resident, voiced his dissatisfaction, pointing out that they had been commuting to work and dropping their kids off at school by this route for more than 25 years.

"It’s upsetting to see our path blocked. We’re worried how our kids will get to school and how construction materials will reach us," he said. Nyamoi appealed to local officials to help resolve the issue, stating that the community feels pressured by wealthy individuals.

Julius Gona mentioned that other investors in Jomvu have allowed public passage through their properties, fostering peaceful coexistence. "We respect investors because we are all taxpayers. This isn’t political. We just need a pathway for public use, as other investors have provided," he stated, urging local leaders to intervene before the situation escalates.

John Kiragu, an employee at a nearby Export Processing Zone (EPZ), highlighted the impact on thousands from neighbouring areas who would be forced to take longer, more expensive routes.

"This is our right. They should have left a throughway, but now they want to block it," he said.

Winnie Mgide pointed out the severe impact on pregnant women and sick children, who would face significant hardships without the route. "How will we get to the hospital? Our village depends on water tankers, and even shop supplies will be affected," she explained.

Benson Ratemo, another resident, emphasised the necessity of the access road, stating, "We need a route through here. Our children use this path for school, and workers need it to reach their jobs.

"He called on the developer to clarify how the community will access essential destinations if the path remains blocked. Ratemo drew a parallel to the chaos that would ensue if the Mombasa-Nairobi highway were closed.