Mombasa Malindi and Kisumu to have waterfront parks : The Standard

The Government is moving with speed to modernise scenic waterfront locations in key tourist and commercial towns of Mombasa, Malindi and Kisumu in a bid to offer exciting experience for visitors as it seeks to increase tourist numbers. Speaking in Mombasa, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Mr Najib Balala said that after the launch of construction work of the Mama Ngina Drive Waterfront Development, the next stop will be in Malindi and Kilifi County where a similar project will be carried out. Balala added that the next stop will be on the shores of Lake Victoria, Kisumu County. ''I shall be paying a courtesy call to Kisumu Governor, Prof Anyang Nyongo as the government seeks to re-develop waterfront facilities and add to visitor excitement as we seek to diversify our tourism attractions,'' he said.

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In the meantime, construction of the new Mama Ngina Waterfront Park will be complete in six months’ time. The scenic park dotted with century old Baobab trees that was in recent times under the care of the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) is to be spruced up into a modern facility complete with an amphitheatre that can take up to 1000 people on terrace seating, Presidential square and waterway walkways, a cultural centre, pigeon coops, container kiosks, several ablution blocks and two iconic gateways. Already a local contractor, Suhufi Agencies has moved to the site in readiness to start work. The facility, which borders the Indian Ocean at the Likoni ferry channel has received from the National Treasury Sh460 million in the financial year 2018/2019 as a one -off budget item under the Tourism recovery to undertake and complete the project. The giant Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (Kahc) welcomed the latest initiative to spruce up Mama Ngina Drive adding that the move was long overdue.

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''People the world over travel for atttractions and not just to sleep in a cosy hotel bed. This move by the government to turnaround Mama Ngina is one of the possible ventures to add great value to the beach product that is synonymous with the Kenyan Coast,'' Kahc Coast branch Executive Officer, Mr Sam Ikwaye said. Ikwaye added that if well managed and well executed, the revamped Mama Ngina Drive will have great potential to create speedy employment and create more avenues to do businesses. ''We are players in the multibillion shilling tourism industry salute the government and Tourism Ministry for coming up with this venture . We are really looking up to it. Mombasa and the entire Kenyan Coast should be a vocational destination of choice,'' Ikwaye said. Mombasa County Tourism Officer, Mr Innocent Mugabe, who was part of an earlier team of government and officials who toured the site of the Presidential launch over the weekend said that project was a game changer for Mombasa. ''We already are seeing prospects of full tourism recovery. With such a venture in place by mid this year, Mombasa will attract more visitors from within and without our common borders coming to marvel at the refurbished Mama Ngina drive that will have lots to offer,'' he said.

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According to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, main objectives of the Mombasa Regeneration project that involves both the upgrade of Mama Ngina Drive and the Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach are to transform the water front areas into attractive, safe, and full pedestrialised area with high quality public open spaces. ''We overall hope to improve visitor experience at the vicinity of Mama Ngina Drive and adjacent Ferry and commuter transport terminal,'' the Ministry stated.

Related Topics

MombasaMalindiKisumuwaterfront parksTourism