Mombasa: Members of Mkupe Beach Management Unit (BMU) are calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Mombasa County Assembly to investigate the alleged misappropriation of a Sh8.6 million grant from the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) Project, allocated for the construction of an eco-restaurant. The total cost of the project was Sh9,919,590, which included a community contribution of Sh1.3 million. It was implemented by the Mavuno ya Bahari group, made up of Mkupe BMU members.
According to Kenya News Agency, the members staged a protest outside the eco-restaurant situated below the Dongo Kundu bypass, demanding accountability in the usage of the funds. They accuse some senior officials from the Mombasa County Department of Fisheries of laxity and colluding with former BMU leaders to embezzle funds.
"In the County Government of Mombasa, there are KEMFSED projects plagued by glaring corruption. This project was meant to uplift the fisherfolk community," said Mkupe Chairman Mohammed Bakari, adding that the completed restaurant does not reflect the amount of money allocated. They further urged the County Assembly of Mombasa's Committee on Blue Economy to initiate an audit of the project.
"If you closely inspect the structures, it is clear the funds were not used appropriately. The construction could not have cost more than Sh3 million, yet according to the report, the amount spent was far higher, and the quality is substandard," stated the Chairman.
The BMU members are also appealing to Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to investigate the project to ensure it benefits the entire community rather than a few county officials or former BMU leaders who have allegedly privatised it. Additionally, they accuse County Officials of interfering in the BMU's operations, noting that the group has not been issued a cooperative certificate despite a directive from the County Assembly.
Members of the BMU also want their compensation to be fast-tracked, following the loss of livelihoods resulting from the expansion of the Port of Mombasa and the construction of the Dongo Kundu bypass. Halima Mwero explained that disagreements in the BMU stem from the utilisation of the KEMSFED grant. She noted that their attempts to follow up on the construction of the restaurant were futile, as the feedback from the Department of Fisheries was not satisfactory.
"Since we were not satisfied with the feedback, we presented our grievances to the County Assembly. The founding members were united at first, but after the funds came in, 11 members were removed from the group," she said. "They are still members of Mkupe BMU. The group remain with only six members who are cooperating with the fisheries officials," she added.
Robert Mwaruwa, Chairman of the Mkupe BMU cooperative, claimed their cooperative certificate was handed to a non-member, to the dismay of genuine members.