Published on : Wednesday, January 9, 2019
The project is being carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and the county government.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala and Governor Hassan Joho launched the project today.
Coast Regional Coordinator Bernard Leparmarai and Tourism Principal Secretary Joe Okudo were among government officers presiding over the preparation of the launch on Sunday. The park will also create employment for locals.
The project will see the development of a public square, two gateways, a Swahili cultural centre, pigeon coops, a paved path, space for restaurants, modern selling points, an amphitheatre and landscaping gardens.
The waterfront project will be completed by May. The project is expected to transform Mombasa into a leading and competitive world class tourism destination.
Mombasa Tourism chief officer Innocent Mugabe and the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers said that Mombasa would be joining great tourism cities around the world that have been weaved around waterways.
“Waterfronts cities like London, Dubai or Cape Town are among the most toured. Mombasa will be in company with San Francisco with her famous Fisherman’s Wharf, a melting pot of tourism on the West Coast of North America,” Mr. Mugabe said.
There are around 150 traders at the drive selling food, artefacts and other products. 300 traders would be allowed to operate at the park once the project is completed.