Image: ONYANGO OCHIENG
Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced that seven rescue and patrol boats have been deployed along all public beaches in the county.
He said this is aimed at averting tragedies as visitors and locals throng the beaches to celebrate December festivities.
The move comes a day after two people died on Sunday after a boat capsized at the Jomo Kenyatta Public beach, commonly known us Pirates
The two were among 12 family members who had travelled from Nairobi and had hired the boat for a short trip into the deep seas.
"We have deployed seven patrol boats along all our public beaches. With this beach (Pirates) being the most frequented one, we have deployed four boats."
"We will have one along the main island and another two across the ferry," said Nassir.
The governor was speaking after visiting the beach on Monday afternoon.
He said that each boat will have a Kenya Coast Guard officer, a life guard as well as youths with diving experience recruited by the county for the festive season.
"I want to assure Mombasa residents and all visitors around of their safety and security. Yes accidents do happen but we have everything under control.
"Let us not focus on the negativity, but rather focus on the efforts made by the county to beef up safety and security," Nassir said.
He confirmed that he had spoken to families of the deceased and those recuperating in hospital, but urged the media to allow them mourn in private.
Earlier on Monday, the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya banned swimming along the beaches of the Indian Ocean past 5pm following the death of two family members.
"We don’t expect to see anyone at the beach past 5.30pm, and we have made this decision after wide consultations with different stakeholders," Mvurya said.
He spoke after touring Diani beach in Kwale county.
The CS was accompanied by Kenya Maritime Officials led by chairman, Hamisi Mwaguya, alongside government officials and members of the Kenya Redcross Society led by Mombasa chairman, Mahmoud Noor.
The CS also said they have directed that all boats operating in the ocean be inspected to ensure safety.
"We want all the boats to have safety gear such as floaters because we have realised that some have vests that even look like reflector jackets," he said.
Nassir, however, said that Mombasa county will consult the CS over the ban saying that some functions were devolved.
"Waziri has good reasons for the ban. But we shall have consultations with him to see how we can improve on the safety. I'm alive to the fact that the move will affect some businesses," he said.