Two Coast-based lobby groups have dismissed fears that Kongowea market land has been grabbed.
Residents and businesspeople were worried that the land had been grabbed by a private developer.
Concerned Citizen and Amkeni community-based organisation conducted a site visit to the market, where the World Bank is building toilet blocks in collaboration with the Mombasa Water and Sewerage Company (Mowasco).
Bradley Ouna, a lawyer and director of Concerned Citizen, said upon investigations and scrutiny of the project, they discovered the programme followed the World Bank's guidelines and all the necessary protocols in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya.
Ouna said a committee was formed to address any grievances that may arise from the project.
In the project, ablution blocks are being constructed at the periphery of the graveyard site and are expected to serve Kongowea Market sellers, users, and people around the vicinity.
"We are asking the people to be peaceful because this is a World Bank-funded project and it's meant for our own good," Ouna assured.
Christine Lukose, director of Amkeni Community-Based Organisation, urged residents to support the project.
"We are telling the public that this is a good project that will address public health issues in our area," she said.
"Some of the streets around are littered with human waste and these public toilets will be a game changer."
Lukose thanked the county government of Mombasa for working with the World Bank to realise the project.
"We assure the public that we are very keen on the project and our land shall not be grabbed," she added.
Ouna appealed to the residents to be receptive to the projects that come from outside as long as they are good and meant to help the public.
He said there was a danger of them shying away from initiating such programmes in the future if they were frustrated by the would-be beneficiaries.
The sewerage system in Mombasa is generally poor and the World Bank has been instrumental in addressing the problem.
For example, they have put up ablution blocks in Kibokoni, Jomvu, Old Town and Likoni areas of Mombasa.
Edited by A.N
