Rebecca Miano says Ronald Ngala Utalii College to be completed by October

Tourism Wildlife Cabinet Secretary nominee Rebecca Miano has said that the multi-billion Ronald Ngala Utalii College will be completed by October amid ongoing investigations over corruption allegations.

The project that sits on 59 acres of land in Vipingo, Kilifi County, began construction in 2010 but has since faced challenges that have delayed its completion for over 14 years.

Appearing before the Committee on Appointments for vetting on Saturday, Miano said infrastructural works are 85 per cent complete and they anticipate that the college will begin to enroll students by October.

She explained that if approved to hold office by Parliament, she would follow up to ensure the contractor delivers on the said timelines.

"I am informed that the college, infrastructural works are about 85 per cent complete and it is anticipated that by October most of the work will be completed and intakes will start happening," she said.

"I am glad that eventually the college will become operational and offer the very much needed training after many years. I will follow, in case I am approved, to ensure that the timelines are adhered to because I've seen a report giving those timelines."

The MPs also pointed out issues in the hotel sector such as numerous licences and levies that have crippled businesses.

In response, Miano said that she would work with stakeholders to review over 16 licences and levies that apply in the sector.

"There are 16 licences and levies that apply to the hotel industry. I have also come across a lot of work that has been done in trying to address these issues. There's a bill on county licensing unified bills and also some work that was been done by the Commission of Revenue Allocation (CRA)," she added.

"We will be able to finalise the work and where applicable merge, eradicate and consolidate some of the licences and levies in consultation with stakeholders."

Utalii College is projected to enroll about 3,000 students. During late President Mwai Kibaki's tenure, he envisioned to set up the Coast branch of Kenya Utalii College which was later renamed to Ronald Ngala Utalii College.

The project was divided into three phases; whereby phase 1 involved constructing administration block, tuition blocks, kitchen, library, hall with 1,500 capacity, two hostel blocks, laundry block among others.

Phase 2 involved constructing additional hostel blocks, changing rooms, graduation pavilion, clinic, staff residential houses and workshops block.

The final phase involved constructing a five-star application hotel. The college is expected to increase capacity building within the hospitality industry and enhance the sector's standards. 

Ksh.3.3 billion corruption case

The project has been at the centre of court cases including a Ksh3.3 billion graft case involving former Tourism CS Najib Balala and former Principal Secretary Leah Gwiyo. 

The duo was accused of abusing office to irregularly award a Ksh.3.3 billion tender to private firms to set up the college.

The case has been dragged in court but it recently took a turn when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) applied to withdraw the charges.