Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho during the official opening of the phlebotomy wing at the Coast General Hospital [ Photo/nation.co.ke]
Hotels and eateries without health clearance risk closure after the county government on Wednesday embarked on a major crackdown following a cholera outbreak in the region.
According to a local daily, the operation was conducted across different parts of the county by the officials from Governor Ali Hassan Joho’s government following public outcry.
The investors in this sector, however, accused the officials of favoritism during the operations.
Some of the businessmen claimed that the government has been forced to close down despite having met the necessary requirements to operate in the county.
The hoteliers also accused the county officials of soliciting for bribes from them. Mombasa County Government director of communications Richard Chacha has, however, downplayed the allegations of bribery.
He argued that the exercise was conducted in a transparent manner as the Joho’s leadership seeks to control increased cases of deaths due to Cholera outbreak in the region. Chacha also said that the government has received several complainants from the businesses, adding that they will be addressed soon.
“We have received the complaints from the hoteliers and we are reviewing them. But I can assure you that the operation was conducted impartially. We shut down the joints without valid licenses and re-opened those that have met the requirements like having a copy of a health clearance certificate and a letter of no objection from NEMA,” said Chacha, as quoted by Citizen.
Several persons have died of cholera since its outbreak in the area.
Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Mombasa County that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by Joining this group, and have it published. https://chat.whatsapp.com/5K1mGBnRVB46Mixhdh5caF