Activists Francis Auma, Khelef Khalifa and Dr Mwinga Chokwe examine a tree that was cut down at Uhuru Gardens, Mombasa.
The Mombasa government has clarified that the recent removal of trees from public spaces, including the controversial felling at Uhuru Gardens, was prompted by public safety concerns following expert assessments ahead of the heavy rain season.
In a press statement, the Department of Water, Natural Resources, and Climate Change Resilience said the operation was guided by a resolution passed by the County Disaster Management Committee on May 8, 2025.
The resolution directed the department to assess the structural integrity of trees in high-traffic areas such as Railways Garden, Forest Road, Kizingo, Pirates Beach, Links Road, and Uhuru Gardens.
“The assessment identified several aged or weakened trees whose structural integrity had been compromised, posing a direct risk to human life, infrastructure, and public safety,” the statement read.
While acknowledging that some trees served as habitats for bats and other species, the county maintained that the trimming and removal decisions were made cautiously and in line with its duty to protect the public.
A reforestation plan will begin immediately, with the county pledging to plant replacement trees as part of its broader commitment to urban greening and biodiversity conservation.
The clarification came a day after Mombasa County Inspectorate director Charles Changawa denied prior involvement in the Uhuru Gardens incident.
“We rushed to the scene after receiving reports. By the time we arrived, the youth had already left, and two trees had been cut down. Our team is investigating, and we expect a preliminary report within 24 hours,” Changawa said.
Environmental and human rights activists condemned the felling, especially at Uhuru Gardens, a rare green space in Mombasa's CBD, known for its bats colony and historic trees.
Francis Auma, a rapid response officer at Muslims for Human Rights, said he was among the first on the scene last Friday when about 30 young men armed with power saws began cutting trees.
“They claimed 19 trees had been marked for removal and that they had permission from the county,” Auma said.
“The tree they cut was over 100 years old, still healthy, and not a hazard. They even threatened to beat me up when I tried to intervene.”
Auma added that Uhuru Gardens has a contentious history.
“It was grabbed in the 1990s. We fear this could be another attempt to clear the land for private use.”
In 2014, the title deed to the park was surrendered back to the county government after a lengthy legal battle.
Muhuri board member Khelef Khalifa criticised the county for failing to seek the required approval from the Kenya Forest Service and bypassing public participation.
“The county should have obtained a permit from KFS and involved the public before taking any action,” he said.
Dr Mwinga Chokwe, the founder of Clean Mombasa CBO, said the county’s priorities were misplaced.
“We’ve already lost most of our trees. Uhuru Gardens is public property. The county has no mandate to cut any tree without public input,” he said.
“Instead of cutting trees, they should focus on garbage collection, fixing roads, and addressing public health issues like dengue fever and cholera.”
Chokwe echoed concerns that the felling could be a cover for future land grabbing. “We feel they might be trying to grab this land again. They need to come clean,” he said.
