Property worth millions of shillings, including a hotel, were yesterday demolished in Shanzu area Mombasa by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority for encroaching on beach access roads.
A county bulldozer and members of the public spent the better part of yesterday pulling down the Coral Palm hotel, a former five-star restaurant originally owned by the African Safari Club.
Perimeter walls and structures erected by developers which went against the Shanzu development plan that provided for beach access were also demolished.
The structures are part of more than 47 properties located in the upmarket Nyali estate, Bamburi, Old Nyali and Shanzu that have been earmarked for demolition as reported by the Star on June 18.
The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission says the land in which the hotel stands was formerly a crown land that was irregularly allocated to investors in 1988 who erected the structures.
Part of the hotel encroached on a public road running on the Mombasa-Malindi highway through Sea haven to Serena hotel. The property had also blocked a public beach access to the Indian Ocean.
The graft body won a High Court order last year after a prolonged battle with the current owner Zum Zum investments that declared the land a public road.
In a press briefing, EACC, Kura, the National Land Commission and the Mombasa county government lauded the combined effort by the government agencies to deal with land issue.
The EACC chief executive Halakhe Wako termed the demolitions as a success against impunity by powerful forces. Wako said EACC is pursuing over 400 cases of illegally acquired public assets in courts and expressed confidence thar his officers will win back the property.
The CEO asked Kenyans who had acquired land irregularly to voluntarily surrender the pieces before they are netted by the anti-corruption officers.
“Our investigations revealed that private companies have been involved in the irregularities. Today marks a great day against impunity,” said Wako.
The National Land commission Chairman Mohammed Swazuri said the constitution provides for the opening up of all public access to beaches and encroachments that breach the constitution.
Swazuri said a similar operation will include the demolition of structures blocking access to major lakes by prestigious lodges, hotel owners and private developers.
“We want to ensure Kenyan public has access to beaches. We will work with the other government agencies to ensure their right is upheld,” said Swazuri.
Swazuri said he has written to hospitals, parastatals, and ministries seeking information of any irregular land allocations or land grabbed from their custody.
James Mwatu, Karu general manager, who has the responsibility of demolishing structures built on public roads, said engineers have surveyed and demarcated public land before the demolitions.
