By Ngumbao Kithi

Tourism Minister Najib Balala wants the Government to construct a free port in Mombasa before moving to Lamu to build one for Sh180 billion.

Mr Balala said the free Mombasa port would be an economic boom for the coastal city and should be put up “as soon as possible”.

He said the port would change the economic fortunes of the country and its landlocked neighbours.

Speaking at Majengo Ropa, Balala said he was not opposed to the construction of the second port in Lamu, but was afraid it would eclipse the proposed construction of a free one in Mombasa.

Balala said he was worried that the Lamu port would be used to grab the local poor people’s land.

“We have talked for a long time about the construction of a free port in Mombasa. Why are we jumping ship and talking about a second port in Lamu when there is no longer mention of the free port? Balala asked.

He appealed to President Kibaki to sack any Cabinet minister involved in corruption. The Mvita MP said corruption was a threat to the stability of the Coalition Government.

“It’s time for President Kibaki to wipe out corruption in the Grand Coalition. It has reached levels where it can no longer be tolerated,” Balala said.

He said corruption was “back in full force” in all sectors and gave an example of a certain tycoon who has grabbed part of the Mvita clinic grounds, a proposed site for a maternity hospital.

He appealed to anti-corruption institutions to help his constituents retain the public utility plot.