Mombasa’s iconic wildlife sculptures were removed from key locations in the island city on Wednesday.This follows a row between Mombasa Cement, which used the sculptures to beautify the tourist town, and the Mombasa County Government over a controversial directive ordering the company to stop philanthropic activities at public hospitals.
Last month, the county government issued a cease and desist notice to the company’s owner, Mr Hasmukh Patel, ordering him to immediately stop his philanthropic activities and leave the patients alone.
Mr Patel has been paying the bills of patients in Mombasa’s public hospitals who are unable to pay their medical and funeral bills.
The sculptures have been installed at the city’s six main roundabouts, particularly in the central business district.
The Makupa, Lebanon, Digo Road, Nyerere, Port and Ganjoni roundabouts have crocodile, buffalo, shark, camel and lion sculptures.
Mombasa Cement took on the project after years of neglect left the roundabouts an eyesore for tourists and local residents.
The roundabouts had been turned into illegal dumpsites, but the private operator, in collaboration with the previous county government, rehabilitated them and turned them into tourist attractions with beautiful scenery.
