Mombasa residents excited as President Uhuru takes 40-minute walk in Old Town

What you need to know:

  • Old Town, which until about five years ago was a peaceful area, has been turned into a dangerous zone by radicalised youths.
  • The President warned the youth against radicalisation, saying there was no religion that preached killing of innocent people.
  • Last week, he launched a crackdown on drug dealers when he officially opened the Mombasa ASK show.
  • The security detail had a rough time controlling a crowd that followed Mr Kenyatta along Nasir, Ndia Kuu and Mbarak Hinawy roads.

President Uhuru Kenyatta Tuesday surprised Mombasa residents when he took a 40-minute walk along the streets of the Old Town, notorious for knife-wielding youths who terrorise both tourists and locals.

The President, with a ring of security officers and Coast leaders around him, walked along the narrow streets after inspecting the cleaning of the 100-year old Mackinnon Market ahead of the launch of the National Youth Service programme in Mvita Constituency.

Old Town, which until about five years ago was a peaceful area, has been turned into a dangerous zone by radicalised youths.

The insecurity and filth at the National Museums of Kenya-gazetted area also listed as a UNESCO heritage site, have reduced the town into a pale shadow of its decades of tourism glory.

On July 5, 2014, a Russian tourist was shot dead by gunmen who later escaped in a waiting car.

HUGE CROWDS

The security detail had a rough time controlling a crowd that followed Mr Kenyatta along Nasir, Ndia Kuu and Mbarak Hinawy roads before reaching Fort Jesus at 1pm where he addressed the residents.

“This is the first time the President of this republic is visiting this area,” said Ms Fatma Huzefa, the headteacher of Ocean View Nursery School where the President greeted children and teachers.

“He asked the children to work hard. We were excited to talk to the President,” she said.

The owner of Safina Craft shop Mr Said Salim said the President promised to visit him again in three months’ time when he is scheduled to check on the progress of the Old Town project.

“I have been making some furniture for State House but no president has ever visited me. I have no words,” said the old man, in his sixties.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd left) with Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru (right), Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Kenya Power Managing Director Dr Ben Chumo (left) take a walk in Mombasa Old Town. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

FLUSH OUT DRUG DEALERS

Speaking outside the Fort Jesus museum, the President asked Mombasa residents to lead the way in flushing out drug traffickers and dealers.

Last week, he launched a crackdown on drug dealers when he officially opened the Mombasa ASK show.

The President said those who peddled drugs were well-known among the members of the community and it was the responsibility of residents to lead the way.

“We want to get rid of drugs because we want our youth to have an opportunity to build their lives. But we will not succeed unless you lead the way.

“You know who the dealers are and we want you to help us get rid of them.

“If there are police officers who will not collaborate, tell us so that we get them out of the way,” President Kenyatta said.

“This is not the Mombasa we used to know. We need to bring back the glory of this town by ensuring that security is maintained.

“This is the only way that tourists will come back which will result to more jobs for our children,” he added.

The President warned the youth against radicalisation, saying there was no religion that preached killing of innocent people.

“We have grown with our Muslim brothers and sisters and we know very well that there is no such religion.

“Islam preaches peace and nobody should teach that you should kill because of religion,” the President said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta responds to greetings from excited residents of Mombasa Old Town. With him is Governor Joho and Devolution CS Anne Waiguru, among other leaders. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

1300 YOUTH TO JOIN NYS

At least 1,300 youth from Mvita Constituency will be recruited to join NYS, Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, who accompanied the President said.

They will undergo training in various programmes and participate in development projects.

The project will be rolled out in other coastal counties by CS Anne Waiguru under whose docket NYS falls.

Governor Joho asked the youth to rise up to the occasion, saying it was disappointing that even with jobs knocking on the doors, few people were turning up.

“Now that jobs are here you must be serious,” he said.

The President also directed Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to reduce fees for training at the Bandari College from Sh70,000 to Sh35,000, and asked MPs to provide bursaries to needy youth through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Other leaders who attended the function were MPs Naomi Shabaan (Taveta), Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), Suleiman Dori (Msambweni), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Abu Chiaba (Lamu Senator) and Moses Kuria (Gatundu), among others.