No more idlers at former Mama Ngina drive, Visitors to pay an entrance fee

Mama Ngina Drive to Mombasa Waterfront Gardens. PHOTO | BANA

Former public gardens where people used to rest after a long day of searching for something to put on the table is now out of bound. Mama Ngina drive in Mombasa will be a recreational place where every visitor will have to pay an entrance fee. It's now called Mombasa Waterfront Gardens.

The entrance will be used to pay workers, cater for maintenance and other activities surrounding the area. 

" I used to come to Mama Ngina when I'm tired. Moving around Mombasa looking for odd jobs to do then come to Mama Ngina to rest, get the breeze as well. It helps someone forgets troubles temporarily." Athman Hassan Mwendo said.

" Now mama Ngina is not available for the poor. Where will we go to get a breeze for free within the Island? This is not good at all. " he added.

"I used to come with my family at least to rest. We walk from home to Mama Ngina as the only adventure too easy economy depression. Now it's closed. " Fatma Hussein said.

"There is archeological evidence to prove that Mama Ngina was the foundation of the city (Mombasa),” says National Museums of Kenya Deputy Director Athman Hussein.

“We will conserve Swahili and Coastal culture and heritage structures of significance in the re-design of the area,” said Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, adding that the project costs Sh460 million.

The facility has two iconic gateways to the waterfront, paved pathways, lush gardens and restaurants that has edged out traditional kiosks.

The project changes the face of old Mama Ngina drive to a new face of Mombasa Waterfront Gardens as Mombasa Governor claimed.

The entrance fee for children, Old people are Ksh 50 and Ksh. 100 respectively per entrance. The parking fee is Ksh.300. The fees will be revised when the facility is up and running.