This week, President William Ruto embarked on a week-long development tour of the Coast, barely six months after another tour to the region.
Ruto, who arrived in the coastal city last weekend, started his engagements Monday by hosting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at State House, Mombasa.
The talks between the duos focused on the recently concluded Africa Union Commission (AUC) elections, which Raila lost to Djibouti’s Mahamoud Youssouf.
In his address after the meeting, Ruto described Raila's candidature in the elections as " fantastic ".
The President said the former PM did all that was needed of him and was always available whenever he needed to show up.
Later, Ruto presided over the official opening of Likoni Technical and Vocational College.
The institution, a centre of excellence in refrigeration technology, he said, will support the blue economy and prepare young people for jobs in the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone.
He also addressed the residents at the institution.
While still at the county, the President inspected the progress of the Changamwe NHC Affordable Housing Project.
He wrapped up the day’s activities by issuing 450 title deeds to residents of Changamwe.
The government, he stated, is issuing the titles in the coastal region to address the longstanding land problem that has left many as squatters, denying them the socio-economic benefits of land ownership.
He crossed to Kwale County where he flagged off Last Mile Phase IV Connectivity Projects at Kiwegu Secondary School grounds in Vanga.
The Sh1.4 billion project will provide electricity to over 12,700 households, unlocking new opportunities for economic growth.
He also commissioned fully equipped classrooms and a laboratory at Kiwegu Secondary School, enhancing access to quality education in the region.
Ruto also laid the foundation stone for the X-Ray Block and officially opened the Theatre Block at the Mkogani Sub-County Hospital.
He stated that the facility’s upgrade from Level III to Level IV will significantly improve access to to healthcare in the area.
In his address to the residents, Ruto urged them to register so that they can benefit from the transformative healthcare scheme. He said the Social Health Authority is committed to ensuring equitable and affordable access to medical care.
He said that, complemented by the efforts of our Community Health Promoters, the new care will drive our country toward achieving Universal Health Coverage.
He also launched the construction of 154-unit Diani Affordable Housing Programme in Ukunda and later issued 6,200 title deeds demonstrating his commitment to resolving land ownership challenges in the region.
More than 170,000 affordable housing units are under construction across the country, generating over 250,000 jobs for our youth.
The Diani AHP will create hundreds of employment opportunities for Ukunda Youth Polytechnic graduates, Juakali artisans, and construction workers in the area.
He said they reviewed the situation in Eastern DRC and the significant progress made by the EAC-SADC joint peace process, including the appointment of facilitators to guide peace efforts and subsequent measures to restore stability.
“We also addressed the tragic conflict in Sudan and the urgent need to pursue all opportunities for dialogue and peaceful resolution.”
Additionally, the two leaders discussed the security crisis in Haiti and the UN’s support in addressing it.
He extended his gratitude for the United Nations’ commitment to assisting Kenya in leading the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission.
Kenya, he said, values its strong partnership with the United Nations in promoting global peace, security, and sustainable development, to addressing both global and regional challenges.
Ruto also bid farewell to outgoing Indonesian Ambassador Mohamed Hery Saripudin.
The President said Kenya and Indonesia enjoy strong diplomatic relations, and the government is committed to deepening the strategic partnerships for shared prosperity.
“Indonesia remains a key partner in expanding investment opportunities, particularly in renewable energy, edible oils—especially palm oil—and seaweed production,” Ruto said.
In Kilifi County, he began by commissioning the 33/11 kV Sabaki Sub-Station which will help address power challenges that have impeded progress in the region.
He also launched the Last Mile Connectivity Project Phase IV, which brings power to more than 20,000 households.
Ruto, who was accompanied by his deputy Kithure Kindiki, later laid the foundation stone for the 1,000-unit Tezo Affordable Housing Project.
The Affordable Housing Programme, ICT hubs, manufacturing and the Blue Economy, he said, are such strategic programmes that are driving the country into prosperity.
He also launched the 30 kilometre Kwa Jomvu-Mariakani (A8) Dual Road in Kilifi County, a Sh10 billion investment in partnership with our development partners.
The expansion of the road from a two-lane single carriageway to a four-lane dual carriageway will ease congestion, enhancing the efficiency of the Port of Mombasa—the backbone of the Northern Corridor, East Africa’s most vital transport route.
During the same day, he inspected the Mariakani 400/220kV Substation, a critical infrastructure project enhancing power supply in the region and opened Mjambere Secondary School in Kisauni, Mombasa.
February 27 (Thursday)
He was in Lamu County where he began by launching the Kenya Off-grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) at Ndau Island before laying the foundation stone for the construction of THE 468-unit Mokowe affordable housing.
It aims at expanding electricity through mini-grids and stand-alone solar systems whose implementation contracts were signed last week in Nairobi.
Later, he crossed over to Tana River where he commissioned the Bura Gravity canal project which will expand the acreage under irrigation from 6,000 acres to 25,000 acres in a bid to enhance the food security agenda.
He was in Taita Taveta where he launched the construction of the Sh9.4 billion Illasit-Rombo-Njukini-Taveta road before inspecting the Voi pool affordable housing project.
He concluded by inspecting the ongoing construction of Sh50 million Maungu modern market, which comprises 200 spaces.
The 65km road is set to reduce travel time from Illasit to Taveta from two hours to 45 minutes.
In Mombasa, he oversaw the signing of a Sh30 billion investment from Afreximbank for Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone.
