Tensions flared in Mambrui-Mjanaheri area of Magarini, Kilifi County on May 7, 2026 as residents staged a peaceful demonstration to oppose what they termed as an illegal attempt by a private investor to fence off and privatize a section of public beach.
Chanting songs of justice and waving placards reading “Our Beach, Our Heritage” and “Say No to Land Grabbing”, the protesters marched along the shoreline to condemn the move.
They accused a Kenyan investor of Indian descent, reportedly married to an Italian national, of erecting a fence around the beach without public participation or consultation with the local community.
The protest was led by community spokesperson Hassan Shaban, who said the disputed area includes the famous sand dunes now popularly known as “Dubai Ndogo”.
The dunes have become a fast-growing tourism attraction, drawing thousands of local and international visitors during holidays for quad bike rides, photo sessions, and sunset views.
“This beach is public land. Our youth depend on it for survival ,Beach operators, bike riders, tour guides, and curio sellers have built their livelihoods here. Fencing it off is not only unlawful, it is an attack on our daily bread,” he said.
According to residents, the sand dunes have created hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for young people in Magarini.
The area’s rise as “Dubai Ndogo” has put Mambrui on the Kenyan tourism map, with visitor numbers spiking during festive seasons and weekends.
Blocking access, they argue, would kill the budding local economy and cut off the only source of income for many families.
During the demonstration, angry residents pulled down several fencing poles and set fire to a makuti barrier that had been erected along the beach.
The protestors vowed to resist any attempt to convert the public shoreline into private property, warning the investor to halt construction immediately.
A spot check by locals revealed that some beachfront villas had already been blocked off from public access, though community members dismantled the barriers.
“This beach will remain public. It is not for sale and not for individuals,” one protester said.
The residents are now calling on the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Ministry of Lands, and the local administration to intervene.
They want a full investigation into how the investor acquired approvals, if any, to fence off the beach, and are demanding prosecution for alleged encroachment on public land.
The protest ended peacefully, but community leaders warned they will hold bigger demonstrations if authorities fail to act.
“We are ready to defend our heritage,” Shaban said. “The ocean belongs to all Kenyans.”
The investor when contacted said he was fencing the area for beautification purposes and had no plans to grab the public land.
