Human Rights Groups Threaten to Shut Mtwapa Bridge Over Stalled Coast Roads

A coalition of human rights and civil society organizations issued a final warning to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Wednesday, threatening to shut down Mtwapa Bridge on May 18, 2026, unless the government presents a public, time-bound plan to complete stalled road projects across the Coast region.

The groups, led by Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) and Vocal Africa, held a press conference in Mombasa County to announce that a 14-day ultimatum they issued to KeNHA on May 4, 2026, is still running.

They said the Mtwapa road KeNHA protest will proceed if no credible response arrives before the deadline.

Three Stalled Coast Road Projects Drive the Mtwapa Road KeNHA Protest

The coalition identified three specific infrastructure failures driving their demands. First, the Nyali Bridge to Malindi highway, a key economic corridor for tourism and trade, remains a single carriageway with no dual carriageway upgrade in sight.

Second, the Likoni crossing, which carries between 300,000 and 350,000 pedestrians and up to 20,000 vehicles daily, still has no bridge, while the Likoni to Lunga Lunga road to Tanzania remains a single lane.

Third, the Bombolulu to Mtwapa road, measuring approximately 13 kilometres, has been under construction for eight years with visible work nearly at a standstill.

MUHURI Executive Director Walid Kassim said the delays amount to a constitutional failure on equitable development. “People are dying on the road. Ambulances cannot move fast. Vehicles are getting damaged. It is pure distress, and it is only on the Coast side,” Kassim said.

Meanwhile, MUHURI Director Khelef Khalifa accused Coast politicians of failing their constituents.

“We have political representatives in the National Assembly, the Senate, and the County Government, but they are not accountable at all,” Khalifa said. He called the situation oppression compared to road development in other parts of Kenya.

Activists Warn of Road Closure and Legal Action if KeNHA Does Not Respond

Frida Atieno, speaking on behalf of the coalition, outlined five non-negotiable demands.

The groups require a public timeline for all stalled projects, a commitment to upgrade the Nyali to Malindi route to a dual carriageway, a funded and scheduled plan for the Likoni Bridge, immediate dual carriageway expansion steps for Likoni to Lunga Lunga, and full disclosure of contracts, costs, and causes of delay.

Francis Auma, a rapid response officer at MUHURI, said activists will close Mtwapa Bridge from 5am on May 18 if KeNHA does not act. “We will be there and we will close it. KeNHA must be held accountable. Enough is enough,” Auma said.

Walid Sketty of Vocal Africa said the failure falls on elected leaders who cover two counties and three sub-constituencies affected by the highway.

“These governors and MPs, do they not see that the citizens are suffering?” Sketty said.

In addition, Bradley Ouna raised allegations of corruption involving the National Land Commission (NLC), which he said is responsible for acquiring land and compensating project-affected persons ahead of construction.

He alleged that NLC officials demand unofficial payments before releasing funds and that money meant for compensation is held in accounts to earn interest before disbursement, stalling construction.