In a bid to enhance public safety during the festive season, Mombasa County Police Commander Peter Kimani has announced that all beaches in the region will be required to close by 6pm. This move is aimed at reducing the risk of drowning incidents and ensuring the safety of both locals and tourists who flock to Mombasa’s popular coastal attractions.
Safety Measures to Prevent Drowning
Speaking during an interview with NTV on Wednesday, December 10, Kimani explained that the decision to close the beaches at 6pm would be strictly enforced, with officers blowing whistles to signal to beachgoers to vacate the water. He stressed that the initiative would help mitigate the dangers associated with high tides and other water-related hazards.
“Our officers shall be blowing whistles so that people may get out of the water to avoid being affected by high tides, which are a common cause of drowning incidents during the festive season,” said Kimani.
The police commander further assured the public that additional security measures would be put in place to ensure the safety of beachgoers. The Kenya Navy and county security teams will conduct regular patrols using boats, and the newly formed beach management committees will oversee security and crowd control at the beaches.
New Beach Management Committees
In a proactive move to further enhance beach security, the Mombasa County government has formed new beach management committees. These committees, made up of officers from the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), General Police, Tourist Police, and Coast Guard, will be responsible for ensuring that tourists enjoy their time at the beaches without interference from rogue beach boys and hawkers.
“We have formed beach management committees to oversee security at the beaches. The goal is to make sure that people enjoying the festive season are not bothered by beach boys and hawkers,” Kimani stated.
Governor’s Directive on Public Events
The announcement about the beach closures coincided with a directive from Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who emphasized the need for event organizers to secure approval from the county’s disaster management committee before hosting any events within the county. The governor clarified that this directive applies to all public events, whether ticketed or free, and whether they are held indoors or outdoors.
Nassir emphasized the importance of ensuring emergency preparedness during the festive season to avoid any unforeseen incidents. “The Constitution of Kenya assigns county governments functions relating to cultural activities, public entertainment, public amenities, and disaster management,” he said.
Conclusion
As Mombasa prepares for an influx of tourists and locals during the festive season, the county government and police have put in place several measures to ensure public safety. The 6pm beach closure and the formation of new security committees are aimed at providing a secure environment for visitors, while the governor’s directive for event organizers ensures proper management of public events. With these strategies in place, Mombasa looks to provide both locals and visitors with a safe and enjoyable festive experience.
