A delegation from the Governance and Public Administration Sub-Committee, operating under the National Development and Implementation Committee, conducted an assessment of infrastructure projects along the Coast region. This evaluation aligns with the Kenya Kwanza’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The group, led by Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo, aimed to identify and address issues causing project delays during their visit.

PS Omollo emphasized that their focus extended beyond the assessed projects to encompass various government programs in both the Coast and North Eastern regions. The goal was to remove existing bottlenecks in these projects to maximize their benefits for the citizens. He stated, “During our visit, we not only focused on the above projects; we have also focused on other government programs that are going on both in the Coast region as well as North Eastern so that we are able to unlock the bottlenecks that exist in those projects for Wananchi to reap maximum benefits out of them.”

The delegation also commended the progress achieved in the construction of the Shimoni Fish Port, a significant project that commenced in October 2022. PS Omollo described it as a transformative development for the coastal population, enhancing both the local economy and the quality of seafood produced in the region. This project is a strategic move to maximize Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Indian Ocean.

Additionally, Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru highlighted the positive impact of Kenya Shipyard Limited (KSL) in Mombasa County, where more than 3,000 Kenyan artisans are employed. KSL plays a vital role in maritime security by standardizing the identification of local vessels using color codes.

The delegation also visited the Miritini Drug and Rehabilitation Centre in Mombasa County, which provides essential inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. This center is instrumental in addressing the issue of drug abuse, particularly among the youth. Plans to expand it into a National Centre of Excellence for addiction prevention, treatment, and reintegration were discussed.

The visit included a stop at the Government Chemist in Mombasa, with discussions about modernizing the facility to generate revenue through services like paternity tests, food and water analysis, and drug analysis. The facility’s forensic and analytical services are crucial for the entire Coast region and parts of North Eastern, contributing to DNA profiling and similar endeavors.

The PSs expressed their commitment to visit all counties in Kenya to assess the status of various projects and government initiatives.