A public forum to debate a proposal to rename the Mama Ngina Waterfront Park hit a snag on Wednesday after Mombasa County Assembly abruptly canceled the event.
The Mombasa County Assembly had put up an advertisement on local dailies inviting members of the public to the forum on the proposed renaming of the Mama Ngina Waterfront Park.
Lobby groups had urged the Mombasa County Assembly to change the name of the park that was refurbished at a cost of Sh460 million.
However, the assembly abruptly placed another advert in the local dailies announcing the event’s cancelation.
Mischief without a valid reason
The Mombasa County Assembly Clerk asked the members of the public to submit written memoranda to his office, instead.
Khelef Khalifa, the Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) Chairperson, accused the Governor Hassan Joho-led administration of misusing public resources by placing an advert only for the event to be cancelled without a valid reason.
“We have noticed with concern that public resources are being misused. Last week, the Mombasa County advertised this forum. Today, they have also put up another advert cancelling the forum. Probably, about Sh300,000 was spent, which could have been put in better use,” said Khelef.
Fr Gabriel Dolan of the Haki Yetu Organization said the Mombasa residents will demand answers as to who is behind the cancellation of the forum. Was it the governor’s decision, the county assembly or even the national government?” he possed.
