Mombasa mulls legally compelling owners to paint buildings blue

An aerial view of the Mombasa Central Business District on March 9, 2018. The County administration is working on a policy that will see all buildings painted blue. Photo | Kevin Odit | NMG 

By MOHAMED AHMED

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Summary

• In March, in a notice, the county government had directed that all buildings be painted white with blue (Egyptian shade blue) border.
• The owners had been given 14 days to comply from the date of issuance of the orders. However, to date only few buildings have been painted.
• Upon completion, the building owners will be required to collect compliance letters by attaching photos as proof.

Mombasa County government says it will move to court in a bid to compel defiant owners of residential and commercial buildings to paint their premises in a uniform colour.

This is after a majority of the owners in Mombasa’s Central Business District (CBD) defied the directive issued in March.

County Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Executive Tawfiq Balala said after an extension given, the county will seek orders from the court over the matter.

“A majority of the owners have cited the ongoing rains as a hindrance as the painting exercise cannot go on when it’s raining. We have agreed on that and when the rainy season is over they should ensure they comply, failure to which we will move to court,” said Mr Balala.

Few painted

A notice issued two months ago had directed that all buildings be painted white with blue (Egyptian shade blue) border.

The owners had been given 14 days from the date of issuance to comply. However, to date, only few buildings have been painted.

“The buildings should be in white with Egyptian blue border on the edges and windows above without any sign written on the wall or canopy,” reads in part the notice.

Mr Balala said the owners are also required to clean walk ways of their premises.

Upon completion, they will be required to collect compliance letters by attaching before and after photos as proof.

Hailed plan

Tourism stakeholders hailed the plan with a number of residents faulting the county government on the same.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye said the plan will be a cheapest way of beautifying the tourism hub.

However, some building owners complained of high cost of the exercise.

“Now that you want me to apply a specific colour it will really cost me. They should withdraw this directive. Period!” said Ahmed Bahamesh, a businessman in the CBD.

READ: All Mombasa CBD buildings to have one colour