As the Holy Month of Ramadhan enters its final stretch, with the last ten days fast approaching, security has been intensified in Mombasa to ensure the safety of worshippers, the business fraternity and shoppers.
During the final days, Muslims immerse themselves in night prayers at mosques, as it is believed that the highly significant night on which the Holy Qur’an was revealed and considered better than 1,000 months falls within this period.
Most shops in the Central Business District (CBD) remain open late into the night, creating vibrant markets along major streets. Shoppers from every corner of Mombasa flock to these areas as preparations for the Eid celebration gain momentum.
Speaking during a gala dinner organised by the Wajomvu Community, County Commissioner (CC), Mohamed Noor, assured residents that security has been heightened in all six sub-counties.
He asserted that security machinery had been beefed up since the onset of the Holy Month, and that there was no major crime except for an isolated incident in the Makadara area, where street urchins engaged in stone-throwing and disrupted business activities during night shopping.
“The Governor intervened by deploying enough Inspectorate Officers from the County Government, we also deployed Police Officers. The area is being monitored 24 hours a day; all is well now,” stated the CC.
He added that a contingent of police officers has been deployed to patrol the streets of the CBD, which shoppers frequent at night during the Holy month.
The CC confirmed that no major security incidents have been recorded in the Kisauni and Likoni sub-counties, despite a brief re-emergence of juvenile gangs that were quickly contained by security forces.
He further lauded the Governor for installing floodlights and for his support in clamping down on street urchins.
Despite previous crackdowns on street urchins and street families, the Port City of Mombasa is still witnessing a surge in street families congregating along major streets in the CBD, much to the chagrin of pedestrians and shoppers.
The groups have been known to harass both pedestrians and motorists, with some even daring to rob shoppers in broad daylight.
Governor Nassir put on notice youth who masqueraded as street families to wreak havoc, but when they were apprehended, their families came forth to plead for their release.
“I am glad that we did a joint operation with the National Government security team. We have installed street lights and increased patrols within Mombasa, and the situation is calm,” stated the Governor, adding that traffic flow along Makadara Street is smooth.
He urged worshippers and shoppers to go on with their activities, as security has been enhanced and miscreants will be dealt with by security officers on the ground.
Jomvu Legislator, Badi Twalib, lauded the cooperation between the County Government and the National Government in maintaining peace, law and order and encouraged those who are well-off to remember the less fortunate in society by donating food and clothing.
The ODM-elected MP promised to support the National Government in the spirit of broad-based government cooperation.
He also praised the ongoing installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and street lights by the County Government, to enhance security surveillance across the six sub-counties.
Twalib further hailed the Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director, Capt. William Ruto, for his work with local communities through food donations and infrastructure projects under the Corporate Social Initiative.
By Sadik Hassan
