CLT Director to Petition NEMA, Mombasa County Government over illegal Discharge of Raw Sewage at Tudor Creek

Centre for Litigation Trust (CLT) has announced modalities to petition the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Mombasa County Government and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) over pollution and destruction of Mangroves at Tudor Beach and Creek.

CLT Executive Director Julius Ogogoh announced on Wednesday that the petition would seek to compel the relevant state agencies to take responsibility and accountability for reports of the illegal discharge of raw sewage onto the beach and the unlawful destruction of the mangrove ecosystem in the area.

Recent reports have shown concerns regarding pollution of the once prestigious beach in Mombasa, with residents and beachgoers blaming the County Government and NEMA in particular for negligence.

A section of the residents had earlier raised alarm over the pollution of the beach line by domestic sewage discharge, hence risking contamination and disease outbreak.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Litigation Trust boss criticised the County Government for laxity in dealing with individuals and institutions involved in illegal discharge of sewage and destruction of Mangroves along the beach.

Mr Ogogo says the Kenya Forest Service and NEMA need to be blamed for encouraging people to encroach Mangroves forests and illegally build structures along the beach.

The Director further criticized private developers of new buildings in the area for failure to adopt environmentally friendly waste disposal mechanisms, such as bio-digesters, to filter out contaminants from wastewater.

"The County government has entertained rogue developers of new buildings in Mombasa for so long, resulting in sewage being disposed of illegally and directly onto the beaches. As the Centre for Litigation Trust, we want such developers stopped and, if possible, their buildings demolished. This kind of shot cuts must come to an end in Mombasa, to conserve and protect our flourishing beaches and glittering mangrove ecosystem," Mr Ogogoh said.

He emphasised also the important role mangroves play in providing fresh air and serving as habitats for fish, and warned that destruction of the Mangroves in the area would significantly reduce fish production, thus affecting the lives of many local fishers who depend on the Ocean.

"Due to public interest, we are taking this matter seriously, and our petition will duel on all the problems our fisherfolk and beachgoers are facing. I assure Mombasa people that our presence here in Mombasa as the Centre for Litigation Trust will not be invain. We want to see solutions to problems facing Kenyans and the accountability from all state office holders," the Director added.

Tudor Beach is known for its unique, authentic, yet accessible coastal experience in the heart of Mombasa. It's popular for walking, relaxing by the water, and exploring nearby, with some limited water activity options.

The area has recently been attracting young athletes and footballers who are using the beach for their daily training and normal jogging for fitness and personal wellbeing.

Mr Ogogoh, however, challenged the County Government to restore the once flourishing beach for the well-being of the local community and tourists envisioning to visit the area.