President Uhuru Kenyatta has described the planned Ronald Ngala Utalii College as a “fantastic project” for the tourism industry. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

President Uhuru Kenyatta has described the planned Ronald Ngala Utalii College as a “fantastic project” for the tourism industry.

Speaking when he toured the Ministry of Tourism stand at the Mombasa International Show last week, Mr Kenyatta said he was impressed with the artist’s impression of the college.

Construction work is ongoing at Vipingo, Kilifi County, where the Sh4.92 billion project will be set up. It is due for completion in 2018.

Ronald Ngala Utalii College will become the country’s second national tourism training institution, complementing Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi.

The college is being put up by the Tourism Fund, with CEO Joseph Cherutoi saying it will offer more specialised training in fields like cruise tourism and leisure.

“There will be also be additional courses that target players who are already in the industry but may not have had formal training, through the introduction of competency-based training and refresher courses,” he said. — Philip Mwakio