A wave of environmental concern has swept through Mombasa following protests led by renowned activist Francis Auma, opposing the ongoing removal of trees at Uhuru Gardens and other key green spaces within the county.
Demonstrators gathered on Wednesday to decry the cutting down of mature trees, which they say provide critical shade and shelter one of Kenya’s most significant bat colonies and diverse birdlife.
“These trees are not just old—they’re irreplaceable ecosystems,” said Auma. “Destroying them disrupts wildlife and robs Mombasa residents of vital green space.”
In response to the uproar, the County Government of Mombasa released a statement defending the tree removal, citing public safety concerns as the primary motivator.
According to officials, a rapid environmental assessment conducted after a May 8 Disaster Management Committee meeting revealed that several trees across locations such as Railways Garden, Forest Road, Kizingo, and Pirates Beach were structurally compromised and posed a risk during the forecasted heavy rains.
“Some of the trees were aged or weakened, with potential to fall and endanger lives or infrastructure,” the county’s Department of Water, Natural Resources and Climate Change Resilience stated.
While acknowledging that certain trees are habitats for bats and birds, the county emphasized that the decision was not made lightly.
Authorities also assured the public of a reforestation plan, including immediate replacement tree planting and long-term urban greening strategies.
Environmentalists, however, argue that alternative conservation measures such as tree bracing, selective pruning, or relocation should have been explored.
