A lobby calling itself Okoa Malindi is now calling for a ban on alcohol, smoking and wearing of skimpy clothes in the newly constructed waterfront for it to adapt to the local Swahili culture.

Many people who reside in Malindi and especially tourists wear short clothing or light material when up and about due to the hot coastal weather and the night life is filled with skimpy see-through clothing.

Tourism CS Najib Balala at the site. PHOTO/COURTESY

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The Malindi Waterfront Urban Renewal and Recreation Park has been constructed at a cost of Sh80 million and is meant to attract more tourists to the Malindi coast.

PHOTO/COURTESY

In a letter addressed to Kilifi County headed by Governor Amason Kingi and 15 other stakeholders, Okoa Malindi secretary general A.N Farhan called for modest dressing in the park.

This comes 7 years after elders and MCAs from Lamu County unsuccessfully pushed for a ban on all revealing clothing in the island, terming it indecent and going against Swahili culture.

PHOTO/COURTESY

The Lamu elders made a fresh attempt in June last year, saying the predominantly Muslim island was a Unesco World Heritage site because of the preservation of the local culture.

Farhan also wants the park to be used to promote Swahili and primeval cultures and be Malindi Waterfront managed by the local municipal board instead of reportedly being privatised.

PHOTO/COURTESY

The lobby further wants at least 70 per cent of jobs in all facets of the mega beachfront project reserved for residents of Shella ward, where it is located.