Police, working in conjunction with other security agencies, have heightened surveillance ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations in the Coast region as local and foreign tourists continue trooping in for the holidays.
Mombasa County Police Commander, Peter Kimani, assured citizens coming to the region for the holidays that elaborate measures have been put in place to enhance security during the festive season.
Speaking during a beach cleaning exercise at Nyali Beach, organised by the Coast Media group, Kimani said they have intensified patrols and incorporated undercover surveillance.
“We will be having undercover police officers patrolling the beaches. You may be walking and find somebody looking like a beach boy, but essentially that will be a police officer, because we don’t want people to come and steal from those coming for the holidays,” said Kimani.
A help desk will be set up at the Jomo Kenyatta Beach (Pirates), where a huge number of merrymakers is expected. Gender desks officers within the police stations surrounding the beaches are having an orientation in conjunction with the Children’s Department.
Last season, the County Police Commander said, they witnessed many cases where children were separated from their guardians.
“This time round, I want to urge parents to take care of their children, but we should be having a help desk where they will be able to report. Most children will have a safe place where they will be reunited with their guardians,” stated the County Police boss.
Boat operators were cautioned against venturing too far with revellers onto the high seas during high tide. The Kenya Coast Guard Services and the Kenya Wildlife Service will deploy patrol boats to monitor activities on the beaches.
Merrymakers were urged to follow directives from security officers to leave the beaches whenever ordered to do so.
Senior Assistant Director Coast Conservation Area, Mr. Adan Kala Marine, said they have a multi-agency team to take care of their security along the coastline.
He encouraged revelers to protect the marine ecosystems as they enjoy the festive season.
“We urge the community and all our partners to responsibly use our resources, our beaches, especially in Mombasa, where we have many people. We urge them to be responsible and not to come with plastics, especially the single-use plastics,” stated Kala.
He further discouraged any kind of pollution, not only from the public but also urged hotel establishments to manage their liquid and solid waste so as not to get into the marine ecosystem and affect the biodiversity.
“If the pollution is allowed into the ocean, it will affect the fish and also impact human health,” said KWS Senior Assistant Director Coast Conservation area.
Revellers were also advised not to throw waste into the ocean, as some marine species, like the sea turtle, have breeding grounds on the shores and in mangrove areas.
By Sadik Hassan
