This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 18, 2019, Tourism CS Balala expressed his opposition to the construction of a 370-meter tall hotel in Watamu, citing environmental concerns. He had written to the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) seeking to revoke the license issued for the project.
"That 61-storey skyscraper developed on a small plot in Watamu must not be built. I have already given my objection to Nema. If they want to build such a skyscraper, they should do it in Nairobi or Mombasa, not on the beach of Watamu," Balala said during a tour of Watamu.
However, Kilifi MP Owen Baya responded to Balala's concerns, accusing him of meddling in the affairs of his constituency and being driven by personal interests rather than environmental issues.
"It is absurd that Mr Balala, who is supposed to be at the forefront of boosting tourism ventures that is also aimed at creating jobs for the youth is colluding with a few foreign investors to oppose the project," Baya said.
The proposed hotel project, valued at Sh28 billion, is being developed by Italian billionaire Franco Rosso and a consortium of investors from New York and South Africa. The project includes a 270-bed hotel, shopping mall, nightclub, and other amenities.
