On Wednesday, Mombasa’s distinctive wildlife sculptures were removed from prominent spots throughout the island metropolis.
This comes after a squabble between Mombasa Cement, which utilized the statues to beautify the tourist town, and the Mombasa County Government over a contentious edict ordering the company to cease charitable operations at public hospitals.
A few days ago, the county government ordered Mombasa Cement Company owner Hasmukh Patel with a cease and desist notice ordering him to stop, forthwith, his philanthropic activities and leave the patients be.
The wealthy and influential tycoon had been helping needy families to clear hefty medical bills in a hospital that’s holding their loved ones hostage till their dues are paid.
According to reports, Patel has been spending at least Sh2 million daily through his cement company to release patients stuck at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital and other public health facilities.
The company has stationed its workers in the Coast region’s main referral facility, which also serves Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Taita Taveta, and Tana River counties, to authenticate the invoices, pay directly to the cashier, and send the receipts as proof to the head office.
As things are, the businessman is shifting his philanthropic activities to the neighboring Kilifi County.
The sculptures had beautified the city and created jobs for Mombasa youth who were employed to man the roundabouts.
They were employed to clean the roundabouts and guard the solar panels that power them.
The cement manufacturer declared that the statues would be relocated to neighboring Kilifi County.
“We have had discussions with the Kilifi County government and Governor Gideon Mung’aro is open to the idea of us moving the sculptures. We are excited about the new partnership,” said Mr Imtiaz Sayani.
