President William Ruto has embarked on a week-long development tour of the Coast region, focusing on key infrastructure, housing, and energy projects aimed at transforming the region’s economic landscape. His visit, which comes barely six months after a similar tour, highlights the government’s commitment to boosting development in the area.
The tour commenced with a high-profile meeting at State House, Mombasa, where Ruto hosted former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Their discussions centered around the African Union Commission (AUC) elections, in which Raila lost to Djibouti’s Mahamoud Youssouf. Ruto lauded Raila’s efforts, describing his candidature as “fantastic.”
On the development front, Ruto oversaw the signing of a KSh30 billion investment agreement between the government and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) for the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone. This initiative is expected to create employment opportunities and stimulate industrial growth in the region.
In Mombasa, the President officially opened Likoni Technical and Vocational College, a center of excellence in refrigeration technology aimed at supporting the blue economy and preparing young people for jobs in the Dongo Kundu project. He also inspected the Changamwe NHC Affordable Housing Project and distributed 450 title deeds to local residents, reaffirming his government’s efforts to resolve the region’s long-standing land tenure issues.
Ruto later traveled to Kwale County, where he launched the Last Mile Phase IV Connectivity Project, a KSh1.4 billion initiative expected to provide electricity to over 12,700 households. In addition, he commissioned new classrooms and a laboratory at Kiwegu Secondary School, enhancing educational access.
Healthcare improvements were also a priority, with the President laying the foundation stone for the X-Ray Block and opening the Theatre Block at Mkogani Sub-County Hospital, upgrading it from Level III to Level IV. He urged residents to register for the Social Health Authority scheme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
The tour concluded with the launch of the 154-unit Diani Affordable Housing Programme in Ukunda and the issuance of 6,200 title deeds, reinforcing the administration’s goal of providing dignified housing and land security for coastal residents.
