Hotelier Slams Mombasa Governor Nasir for Cutting Down 100-Year-Old Trees in Uhuru Gardens

MOMBASA, Kenya — Mohammed Hersi, a prominent hotelier and environmental conservation advocate, has strongly criticized Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nasir for authorizing the removal of century-old trees in Uhuru Gardens, calling the action an “act of impunity” based on “flimsy grounds.”

Hersi voiced his condemnation in a post on X, expressing dismay over the felling of the historic trees, which he argues posed no genuine threat to public safety.

“Any ‘expert’ telling you that these 100+ year-old trees were posing danger to anyone is a big liar,” Hersi wrote, noting that the solid timber of the trees contradicted claims of instability.

He criticized the unsigned statement from the county government as evidence of administrative overreach and urged Governor Nasir to hold responsible officers accountable.

The controversy stems from the Mombasa County Government’s broader initiative to remove trees for public safety reasons, as outlined in a press statement dated May 30, 2025.

The statement, issued by the Department of Water, Natural Resources, and Climate Change Resilience, justified the removals in key public spaces including Uhuru Gardens, citing risks to human life and infrastructure.

However, Hersi and other critics argue that the measure disregards the ecological and historical value of these mature trees, which are vital for carbon sequestration and urban green space preservation.

This incident follows similar tree removals at the Railways roundabout, raising concerns about a pattern of environmental degradation under Nasir’s administration.

As a hotelier, Hersi emphasized his industry’s contrasting approach, where trees are pruned rather than removed unless genuinely at risk of falling.

“What has been brought down are solid trees,” he stated, suggesting the action might be motivated by economic rather than safety concerns.

The timing of the tree removal, coinciding with Madaraka Day—Kenya’s national holiday celebrating self-governance—has intensified the backlash.

Critics view it as contradicting the principles of sustainable development and heritage preservation that the day represents.

“Sadly, history will have it that this happened under your care,” Hersi told Governor Nasir.

The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of broader governance concerns in Mombasa.

Recent reports have highlighted allegations of corruption and abuse of power against Nasir and his administration, including a widely publicized case involving the abduction and sexual violence against a blogger critical of the county government.

These issues have fueled public distrust and intensified scrutiny of Nasir’s leadership.

Environmental experts and conservationists have supported Hersi’s concerns, warning of the long-term impacts of losing mature trees in a region already vulnerable to climate change.

One expert emphasized trees’ role as “carbon sinks” in mitigating urban heat and improving air quality.

As Mombasa continues to grapple with these challenges, the debate over balancing development with environmental conservation persists, with Hersi’s criticism adding significant weight to calls for accountability and sustainable governance.