Kenyans’ ever growing appetite for land is posing new threat to the marine ecosystem as private developers now turn to reclamation of the ocean to create land.
Several companies seeking to establish Container Freight Stations near the Port of Mombasa at Kibarani area are hiving off part of the ocean and filling it with sand to create land for development.
This is happening despite protests from environmentalists, fishermen and residents.
Environmental experts have faulted the ongoing reclamation of the ocean by the private developers saying the move is an encroachment of the ocean that is “unfriendly to the marine life.”
Environmentalist Fredrick Owiti said the ongoing reclamation of the sea at Makupa courseway was killing the mangrove forests which hold great significant importance to marine life and the surrounding environment.
“Mangrove forests are important breeding and nursery grounds for juvenile sharks, green turtles, , turtles, rays, seabirds, fishes and invertebrates. Mangroves also provide protection from the waves, strong currents and larger predators therefore killing them is just killing marine life,” said the expert noting that the operations at Kibarani “have clearly bypassed the environmental impact assessment.”
