Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs (CS) Salim Mvurya has affirmed the government’s commitment to complete all the priority projects in the fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV) 2023–2027 in Kwale County.
The MTP IV has been aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). It will be implemented by ministries, departments, and agencies, constitutional commissions, and independent offices.
Consequently, county governments will prepare five-year county-integrated development plans (CIDPs) aligned to Vision 2030 and the MTP IV.
Some of Kwale’s priority projects are boosting power generation and supply to Wasini Island, the construction of fish landing sites, a ginnery to bolster textile and apparel value, and integrated fish resource development.
Others include the construction of Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) research laboratories, the construction of 200 affordable housing units, the construction of a fish jetty causeway, a fish processing plant, an ice-making plant, and the construction of a new level III hospital in collaboration with the county government.
Speaking at the Kenya School of Government Matuga campus during a dissemination forum for MTP IV for Kwale County, Mvurya said the Kenya Kwanza administration is keen to position the coastal county as a regional maritime hub through sustainable developments in the blue economy sector.
The CS stated that the construction of a Sh1.5 billion maritime college is ongoing in the Chitsakamatsa area. The college will serve the entire East Africa region once completed and will place the country on the global map in a maritime capacity.
To bolster maritime safety, Mvurya said a survival and training centre will be established at the Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) to build capacity for seafarers.
He revealed that the compensation process for Dongu Kundu Project Affected Persons (PAPs) is at its tail end to pave the way for a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the 3000-acre land.
“We had cartels who had invaded. The list has been audited, and compensation will commence soon,” said Mvurya.
The CS reiterated the government’s commitment to having ICT hubs in every ward, as espoused in the Kenya Kwanza plan. The ICT hubs will enable the youth to access services and online jobs.
The government plans to establish a Sh838 million mariculture centre in Shimoni, Lunga Lunga Sub-County.
And under the Sh1.92 billion last-mile connectivity programme, Mvurya said 27524 households in Kwale County will be connected to electricity.
Another key project is the construction of the Sh2.6 billion Shimoni Fish Project, which is currently 61 percent complete. The government has plans to make the port a commercial port soon.
Mvurya exhorted Kwale leaders to mobilise residents to register in numbers in the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to benefit from comprehensive healthcare.
Governor Fatuma Achani raised a concern about the Diani Resort City project that was missed in the MTP IV priority projects. Mvurya promised to follow up on the matter with the State Department for Planning.
“Auxiliary projects tied to the project are going on, including the expansion of the Diani Airport runway and apron for Sh173 million,” he said.
He lauded the County Government of Kwale for aligning the third County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP III) with the MTP IV.
On her part, Achani extolled the Kenya Kwanza regime for involving county governments in the dissemination of MTP IV.
“We are grateful for the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP). We have allocated land for the construction of the KEMRI laboratory,” said Achani, urging the government to involve her administration in the proposed establishment of a level III hospital as captured in the MTP IV.
Transport PS Mohamed Daghar said the government is committed to transforming the livelihoods of Kwale residents.
Khamis Juma, a resident of Kwale, called on the government to leverage National Government Administrative Officers and Information Offices to inform the public on government development plans in their localities.
Deputy Governor Josephat Kombo, Women Representative Fatuma Masito, Lunga Lunga MP Mangala Chiforomondo and Members of the County Assembly led by their Speaker Seth Kamanza were in attendance.
By Sadik Hassan
