The Mombasa County Government is set to repaint the iconic Ivory tusks located along Moi Avenue, in Mombasa's central business district.
The move to repaint the landmark elephant tusks comes after the county assembly approved a motion by Tononoka MCA Saad Faraj, seeking to repaint the tusks and replace worn out plates.
Mr Faraj in his motion told the assembly that since construction of the tusks back in the 1950’s the metal plates have been depreciating, hence the need for replacement.
According to The Star, Mr Faraj said that the county government needs to repaint the tusks regularly to preserve them.
“There is need to have the worn out plates on the tusks replaced and repainted regularly to preserve the landmark that is well known by everyone. They are a historic component of the county,” he said.
Kadzandani MCA Mohamed Ndanda however dismissed the motion saying the funds which would be used to repaint the tusks should be spent on other important projects to develop the county.
“The funds which will be set aside to repaint the tusks should instead be used to repaint dilapidated houses,” said Ndanda.
The tusks are one of the island town’s best known landmarks which was erected to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Mombasa in 1952.
The aluminium tusks mark the entrance to the heart of the town and those traveling from upcountry to Mombasa cannot resist the temptation to take photos of the cultural symbol.