The government will from July start implementing a Sh955.4 million Italian government-funded programme aimed at improving the social and economic development of Malindi and Magarini Sub Counties of Kilifi County.
The Malindi Integrated Social and Health Development Programme (MISHDP-II) will be implemented by the Coast Development Authority (CDA) through a concessional loan from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
Principal Secretary for the ASALs and Regional Development Idris Dokota said the programme was designed to improve the social and economic development of the two sub counties in terms of infrastructure, education facilities and school enrolment, as well as improve health facilities and access.
Speaking at a Malindi hotel during a national project steering committee meeting on Thursday, Mr. Dokota said the cost of the project would be 6,395,373 Euros (about Sh944.5 million at prevailing foreign exchange rates).
Among the major projects to be implemented are the tarmacking of the 11.5-kilometre Mjanaheri-Ngomeni road that leads to the Italian Government-owned San Marco Broglio Space Centre and the construction of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Malindi Sub County Hospital, which have been allocated Sh565.5 million and Sh55.08 million respectively.
Ngomeni Secondary School, which was constructed in Phase I of the programme, will receive an additional Sh43.6 million for infrastructure development while Burangi Primary School has been allocated Sh27.6 million to have it relocated to another site to prevent it from being washed away by the Sabaki River.
Other projects include the construction of a foot bridge across River Sabaki to connect Burangi and Sabaki villages (Sh58.6 million) as well as the provision of educational facilities at Rasi and Midodoni Primary Schools, the construction of a CDA office and the rehabilitation of the Ngomeni assistant chief’s office.
The Principal Secretary hailed the programme, saying it touches the bottom part of the pyramid in line with the government’s Bottom-Up’ economic agenda.
He said the Governments of Kenya and Italy signed a loan and financial agreements for the programme on January 26, 2022.
He noted the MISHDP II was designed to improve the social development of the Coastal region, with particular focus on Malindi and Magarini Sub Counties through the improvement of educational facilities and school enrolment, improving health facilities and access as well as improving infrastructure and access in the two sub counties.
“As I have said before, these projects touch the bottom part of the pyramid, which is the key focus of the Kenya Kwanza manifesto,” he said.
Dr. Mohamed Keinan the Coast Development Authority Managing Director said it was a project the state corporation has been longing for.
“It has been a long journey since we started conceptualizing the project and now we are ready to start it,” an elated Dr. Keinan said.
Journalists who toured Burangi and Sabaki village, which are set to be connected using the foot bridge, found locals crossing the hippo-infested river using canoes, a dangerous venture as the river is almost flooding.
The residents welcomed the foot bridge project saying they will now be able to cross safely once the project is complete.
By Emmanuel Masha
