Ronald Ngala Utalii College to officially open in September, PS Bitok confirms
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok addressing the media on the planned reopening of the Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi on July 23, 2026.
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The government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, has confirmed that the Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi will officially admit its first cohort of 1,000 students on September 1, 2026, marking the long-awaited operationalisation of the institution after more than a decade.
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the college is 95 per cent complete, with final preparations underway to receive the inaugural class.
"I can confirm that we are 95 per cent ready to welcome the first cohort of 1,000 students on September 1. We have the necessary arrangements in place to make this a reality," said Bitok during an inspection tour of the facility.
The college will offer diploma and short-term courses in catering, hotel management, housekeeping, seafaring, and hospitality management refresher programmes, among other disciplines, in a move aimed at strengthening Kenya's tourism and hospitality workforce.
Situated on a 40-acre site in Kilifi County, the institution has an initial admission capacity of 1,000 students, with plans to gradually expand to accommodate up to 4,000 learners.
Bitok noted that the project, which has taken more than 12 years to become operational, represents a major milestone in the government's efforts to enhance skills development in the tourism sector.
He added that the government is considering bringing on board a private investor through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to fast-track the completion and operation of the planned tourist-class training hotel within the college. The hotel is expected to provide students with practical industry experience while generating additional revenue.
The opening of the institution is projected to create at least 1,000 direct and indirect jobs while stimulating economic activity in Kilifi and the wider Coast region.
According to the PS, the college will play a key role in supporting Kenya's ambition of increasing international tourist arrivals to five million annually by 2028.
"We are committed to building capacity for the tourism and hospitality industry. The opening of this college will go a long way in ensuring that we meet our target of five million tourists by 2028," he said.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro welcomed the launch of the institution, saying it will address the shortage of certified professionals required in the growing blue economy, particularly in the seafaring industry.
"We have had situations where recruitment agencies come here looking for seafarers. The last time a team wanted to recruit 600 people, but only 59 qualified because the rest lacked the required certification," said Mung'aro.
Bitok and Mung'aro also urged political leaders to exercise restraint in their public remarks on tourism, warning that negative statements could undermine the country's image as a destination.
"We urge leaders to weigh their words whenever they speak about tourism because it is a very delicate industry. What we have built over the last 10 years can be destroyed in a single day by a reckless statement," said the governor.
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