At least 100 traders have something to smile about after newly renovated Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa was made available for them.
The waterfront which is a few metres from the busy Kenya Ferry Services has been into operation since Christmas Day.
Mama Ngina Waterfront had been shut down for renovations months ago only to be opened on Christmas Day.
However, traders who were allowed to use the facility for their business expressed mixed reactions over its new look and its impact to their businesses.
The deputy chairman of the Mama Ngina Recreational Park Traders Association Salim Bawaziri said though the environment has changed, the stalls are too small.
“We were allocated the stalls but the space is very small and we’ve been forced to put some of our products outside. Also, if businesses deal in similar products, it becomes hard to sell,” he said.
Another trader Kennedy Mwambulu, however, expressed his happiness and thanked the government for reopening the facility saying business was good over the holidays.
“We reaped from the festive season as visitors and locals thronged the park. Business has slowed down but we are waiting for more tourists and other visitors,” he noted.
He added that the new look of the facility is more appealing than it was before the renovation.
“Before the area was renovated, it was not that appealing. But now we will have a chance to showcase and sell Swahili foods and snacks such as roasted cassava, cassava crisps, roasted sweet potatoes, coconut water, fried potatoes and other foods,” he added.