Manyani Beach: Mombasa slum where residents ease themselves in the ocean

Residents of Basra village in, Kisauni subcounty, Mombasa county have appealed to authorities to help them build toilets.

The village, which borders Manyani beach, has been in existence for decades without toilets.

The situation has forced residents to use flying toilets or help themselves on the beach, hence the nickname 'Mavi Mavi beach'.

Sometimes, when the tides are high enough, they relieve themselves in the sea.

Juma Mashuhuri, a resident, founder and chair of Akili Kadhaa CBO, on Friday told the Star there is a great need for sensitisation on the importance of a clean environment.

He also urged the authorities to help build at least five public toilets.

“Not that the whole of Basra has no toilets. Some do but majority don’t, especially those living near the mangrove forests,” Mashuhuri said.

He said the residents, apart from defiling the environment by defecating in the beach or the sea, are also cutting down mangroves for charcoal and for making illicit brews.

“They need a lot of sensitisation. Mavi Mavi beach has been polluted for a long time. That is why on November 18 last year, we as Akili Kadhaa took the initiative to start the beach clean-up exercise which will also encompass sensitisation of the residents,” Mashuhuri said.

Kenya Maritime Authority and Lapsset have empowered Akili Kadhaa to clean the beach for the next six months and restore the mangrove cover.

The clean-up will be done twice a month.

Lapsset chair and former Kisauni MP AIi Mbogo said the residents cannot be blamed for their behaviour.

The blame, he said, goes to the government and the leadership.

“If someone has no toilet and they live near the beach, they will most likely help themselves there,” Mbogo said.

He said this has been the case for more than five decades.

“Lack of toilets is a problem we started talking about more than 50 years ago. It is unfortunate that we are still talking about it today," Mbogo said.

“We are happy to see groups like Akili Kadhaa take the initiative to ensure this beach is cleaned and the mangroves are restored.”

He urged leaders to help such groups to strengthen their resolve and grow.

The growth of the groups will help curb crime by keeping the youth busy, he said.

"It is our duty to ensure we provide the requisite initiatives to prevent destruction of the environment by solving problems such as lack of toilets,” Mbogo said.

“If, for example, you provide four or five public toilets in a place like this, then we can easily come up with laws that prohibit defecating in the beach or in the sea and punishment is meted on those found culpable.”

He urged the county government and MCAs to build public toilets in the area.

"People helping themselves in the forests and in the sea 61 years after independence saddens me. We need to rethink our strategies," Mashuhuri said.

He said the matter needs urgent and concerted efforts from all stakeholders.

“For once, let us set aside our political differences, come together and ensure we have basic facilities such as toilets in this area,” Mashuhuri said.

“We have to take the initiative. No one will come from outside to help us.”

The county government promised to visit the area to assess the situation. 

Water chief officer Mariam Mapenzi said the welfare of the residents is their utmost concern and they will act with speed.