Re: Yala Swamp aka Dominion Group Issue: Fail to Plan, Plan to fail

From: Joseph Okumu

Mr Ololo,

I would definitely not support the idea that a private firm blocks public access and don't understand how the government can allow that to happen. I have over the years driven or passed by Matatu on the said road.

Unless the road has been privatized in which case there has to be legislation in place and an agreed level of toll plus manning hours set in consultation with the local community, I don't see how that can happen.

Over the years access to Mombasa public beaches has been an issue, hence the same cannot be imported into this project.

May be it is the Council that is blocking the Road.

I give you an example; London Borough of Bromley which is located in the South West of the City, is housed at the former Residence of the Duke of Rochester, a 16th Century Category D1 listed building, meaning it cannot be altered or rebuilt or in any way its Character changed from the original Architectural Plans. That restriction applies also to any subsequent World war2 type extension buildings which were added to it in the 1930's

As part of covenant for allowing the Council to use this property as its Offices, public Access cannot be denied up to 10pm in the evening for people passing through the property. In addition over the Weekends the public is allowed to use its gardens for Wedding functions, recreation or just fan. This is an example where public interest comes first and anybody desiring to use this landmark Property must adhere to the covenant and that includes the Local Authority.

You may be having an example where some government official is negligent of his duties for reasons best known to himself. Who stopped them applying the law?

In any case you are in a Country where the Arturs can come in and be assisted in terrorist activities by the very government which is supposed to protect the public. I once heard of Maskini Liberation when JM Kariuki was murdered and over 28 people killed at Nairobi OTC bus Terminus who were waiting to travel from Nairobi; a Kenyatta government project. I don't remember whether their families have ever been compensated.

That alone does not negate the viability of the project. Those are administrative issues which even the Chief should deal with under the Chief's act.