A year and a half after the presentation of the project in April 2018, the time has come for the Kenyan government to decide whether or not to approve the construction of the 61-storey "Palm Exotjca" skyscraper in Watamu.
It is not only a building that has no equal in the whole of East Africa, but that would set an unimaginable precedent for the tourist resort of Kenya and its coast.
Behind the idea is the hand of an Italian, Giuseppe Moscarino, a veterinarian passionate about the world of luxury, who is supported by architects and designers on the axis Dubai-New York.
According to many experts, a skyscraper of this size, two hundred meters from the sea, can never be built, according to the feasibility studies and environmental impact of society, there are no problems.
While public opinion in the tourism sector is divided between "progressives" who are in favour and "conservationists" (for the most part) ready for protest actions and civil lawsuits, Kenyan citizens already seem to be in favour of the unprecedented structure, seen as a potential source of attraction for tourism, job creation and related activities. The same company associated with the project has promised the construction of vocational schools, roads and more in the area of Dabaso, adjacent to the land where it should be erected "Palm Exotjca".
After a period of silence, broken only by the words of Parliamentarian Owen Baya, elected in the constituency of which Watamu (Kilifi North) is part, who urged the Minister of Tourism Najib Balala not to hinder the project, siding completely in favor, the governmental authority of the Environment NEMA announced that on October 3 will hold a meeting to discuss the environmental sustainability plan presented by Palm Exotjca.
"Citizens are all invited to a public meeting to be held on Thursday, October 3 at the site of the proposed project in Turtle Bay Road in Dabaso. The meeting will be chaired by the prefect of Kilifi (Kilifi County Commissioner)" is written in the statement published by NEMA in major newspapers.
Undoubtedly the government and county authorities want to hear opinions, versions and suggestions from anyone, before giving their, which could be the last step to get to the approval of the project and the green light to the construction of Palm Exotjca.