Police arrested more than 300 people in night swoops on Mombasa Island over the weekend as security forces stepped up their crackdown against terrorists who have been blamed for grenade attacks that have led some tour firms to evacuate tourists.

The arrests came as a grenade was found in a field between the Jesus Healing and Miracle Ministries Church and Malandini estate in Tononoka.
Most of those arrested were seized from Majengo, Bondeni and Ganjoni areas which are suspected to be used as hideouts for terrorists.

Mombasa county commissioner Nelson Marwa said the swoop was meant to clear the targeted areas of criminal elements.
“(We) netted two prime suspects that we are currently interrogating and we are hoping to make a major breakthrough on recent attacks,” he said.
However, the swoops attracted criticism from a cross-section of people including those arrested.

A village elder from Bibi wa Shufi, Mzee Mohamed Omar, criticised the police for not involving them before embarking on the crackdown.

“We held a meeting with the administration last month at Kiziwi and resolved that in all subsequent police swoops, village elders should be fully involved because we know who criminals are and who are not,” he said and claimed that police had arrested innocent youth. He warned that the crackdown would strain relations between the police and the public.

Mr Abdulmajid Salim said his wife was arrested while attending a wedding at Sargoi near Mwembe Tayari.

“They also arrested the groom and bridegroom, all of who had national identity cards,” he said.

Mr Ali Awadh Said from Hindi in Lamu County said he was attending the wedding celebration when police raided the venue between 4.30 and 5 am “and loaded everybody onto lorries”.

Mrs Jackline Amondi said her husband, Mr Gilbert Odhiambo, who works at Salambo Nightclub, was arrested as he was going home at Magongo at 5.30 am.

Waiver on VAT

“He had not arrived home by 8 am which is unusual. He later called me to tell me he was at the police station,” she said.

At the same time, players in the tourism industry have asked the government to consider a waiver on Value Added Tax for hotels at the Coast for the next one year to cushion their operations due to low business.

The situation has worsened following the recent travel advisories issued by the US and UK governments and the subsequent withdrawal of more than 500 tourists from numerous hotels in the South Coast.

Amani Tiwi Beach Resort deputy general manager Mustafa Lekishon Sunday said a VAT exemption would enable hoteliers to meet their overheads and maintain their workers during the low season instead of sending them on compulsory leave.

“Though we support the President’s action in his statement to revive the sector, he only reduced the landing fees but did not talk about opening air transport for more airlines to operate and land in Kenya which will encourage more travellers,” he said.

Mr Lekishon also asked for clarification on how long the reliefs offered by President Uhuru Kenyatta would last so as to facilitate planning. The President had authorised public institutions to hold meetings in hotels while offering tax incentives for employers who paid holiday expenses for their staff.

The Kenya Association of Tour Operators Coast branch chairperson Monicah Solanki said exempting the tourism sector from VAT for a year would stimulate its recovery.

“We appreciate that the President has come up to support us, it is a good sign from State House and we appreciate the good gesture,” she said.

She also expressed satisfaction at the reduction of entry fees at national parks for foreigners from $90 to $80 and from Sh1,200 to Sh1,000 for residents.

Source: Daily Nation