The Government has unveiled major development projects worth Sh250 billion to stimulate a faltering economy and create over a million jobs.

At a meeting at State House yesterday, the Cabinet endorsed 18 projects across the country.

The multi-purpose projects will be started over the next eight years by the six regional development authorities with mandates in various parts of the country. These are: Coast, Ewaso Nyiro South, Tana River, Lake Basin, Kerio Valley, and Ewaso Nyiro North development authorities. The projects will cover:

• Irrigation of food, cash crops

• Hydro power generation

• Supply of clean water

• Development of fisheries

• Water catchments conservation

• Creation of local employment

• Rural development

The Government appeared to respond to the crisis of drought that has ravaged the country and consigned nearly one-third of its population in the throes of starvation.

The Central Bank of Kenya has projected the economy will grow by three per cent.

Sources said the projects were agreed upon after fusion of manifestos of ODM and PNU, both of which prioritise infrastructural development to improve economy and generate jobs.

A statement sent from the Director of PPS Isaiya Kabira said the meeting under the chairmanship of President Kibaki, noted the projects are expected to address some of the major challenges facing the country on medium and long-term basis.

The Ministry of Regional Development and other relevant ministries will now commence the process of implementing the 18 projects.

It was a major boost for the Regional Development minister Fred Gumo and his permanent secretary Carey Orege who will oversee the implementation of the crucial projects.

Employment opportunities

The Government will finance feasibility studies while actual financing will be realised through private-public partnerships.

The President underlined the need to urgently implement the projects that would greatly enhance the economic growth of all regions in and create the much needed employment opportunities for Kenyan youth.

Once implemented, the projects are expected to directly create 213,000 jobs and another 956,000 indirect jobs. The Cabinet meeting also approved the Tourism Bill and Tourism Policy. The Tourism Policy is the first in Kenya’s history.

The Tourism Bill consolidates the various laws currently regulating the sector into one Act of parliament. The Tourism policy will give new direction and impetus in the development, management and promotion of the sector.

Some of the highlights of the policy include formation of a Tourism Service, Kenya Tourism Authority and the Tourism Finance Corporation.

The Tourism Finance Corporation will provide and mobilise financial support to the various players in the industry.

Cabinet has also approved transfer of assets worth Sh740m from Postal Corporation of Kenya to the Postal Corporation Pension Fund Scheme.

The transfer will enable the pension scheme meet current Retirement Benefits Authority requirements.

While launching the strategic plan for the office of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Kibaki said on Wednesday rising incidents of crime was an issue of great concern in the country.

Said Kibaki: "I have instructed the concerned agencies to vigorously step up the war against crime so that Kenyans can peacefully go about their business. I expect to see immediate results on this matter."

Food security

Under Irrigation, Agriculture Minister William Ruto says over one million acres will be farmed to produce rice and maize crops in the next five years.

Within the next two months it is expected 35,000 acres will be under irrigated rice and maize to produce to about 400,000 bags of maize and 800,000 bags of rice.

A breakdown of projects under the various regional development authorities:

Regional Development Authorities’ Projects

Coast Development Authority

- Sabaki River Integrated Project

- Lake Chala Integrated Water resource project

- Mwache Dam Multi-purpose project

Ewaso Nyiro North Development Authority

- Wajir Integrated Development project

- Northern Kenya Integrated Abattoir project

- Development of gum-arabic and gum raisins

Ewaso Nyiro South Development Authority

- Lower Ewaso Nyiro River basin Integrated and Multi-purpose project

- Integrated Greater Mara Tourism development project

- Integrated Mau Catchment conservation and development project

Tana River Development Authority

- Upper Tana catchment, afforestation and conservation project

- High Grand Falls Multi-purpose project

- Munyu Multi-purpose reservoir

- Kibwezi Irrigation project

Lake Basin Development Authority

- Nandi Hydro-power Integrated development project

- Magwagwa Multi-purpose project

- Webuye-Teremi Multi-purpose project

Kerio Valley Development Authority

- Turkwell Downstream Irrigation and Multi-purpose project

- Arror Integrated Multi-purpose project

- Cherangani Hills watershed conservation and rehabilitation multi- purpose project.

 

 

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