Gov't rolls out multibillion projects to uplift Coastal region

The government is rolling out massive projects in the Coastal region to improve the economic status of the region that has suffered under-development for decades.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the government has prioritized implementation of key infrastructure projects across the region to uplift the standards of citizens.

The DP on Wednesday graced an economic empowerment meeting for women and micro and small scale traders at Garsen grounds in Tana River County, where he emphasized the quest to share national resources equally.  

“Tana River will not be left behind in development and economic empowerment. This time round the country must develop equally and Tana River as well as other areas in the coastal region that have been underdeveloped for many years, we must make sure we work shoulder to shoulder for access to equal development,” he said.

The DP enumerated ongoing development programs in the coastal county that target boosting its development and equipping the youth with various skills to advance their livelihoods.

New modern markets are coming up in Garsen, Hola, Bangale and Mandogo towns.

“These markets are equipped with critical facilities like adequate spaces for goods, cold rooms, lactating rooms, social halls and ICT hubs among others,” he revealed.

Also the government has constructed a Jitume lab and equipped it with 100 computers at Garsen Technical Institute. It is also constructing 580 units of hostels at the institute under the affordable housing program.

“We have also invested Ksh.151 million in grants to expand and empower fishermen and beach management units at Kipini in Tana River in order to improve their income and lives,” he added.

With the last mile electricity connection still low in the county, the government has set aside Ksh.205 million for Garsen constituency, Ksh.211 for Bura and Ksh.36 million for Galole.

“I promise you, we will talk to the President so we can increase the allocation for Galole and the other two constituencies because Tana River has been marginalized for long and deserves higher allocation,” he pledged.  

Further, the government has allocated Ksh.411 million to complete construction of Garsen-Witu-Mukowe Road that links Tana River and Lamu counties.

The DP applauded the broad-based government saying it has set a conducive environment for nationwide development.

“We are in the broad-based government and we have agreed to work together for a one nation, one flag, one people. That is the way to go because we don’t want to divide the country along tribal, region or religious lines,” he stated.

The DP said he will continue to be a ‘Yes man’ to the President and wananchi who are their bosses all the time.

“The empowerment program is aimed at supporting wananchi now, not to wait until elections. We will stand with them all the time as we promised during campaigns,” he said.

He urged the residents to reject leaders preaching division and tribalism saying they don’t deserve their time.

“We cannot entertain tribalism again in this country. The tribalists will come here but tell them you are for one Kenya and you would not accept to be divided along tribal lines,” DP noted.