Kwale county to manage Shimoni port

Kwale County will benefit from the construction of Shimoni port whose management the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will hand over to the devolved unit.

KPA MD Daniel Manduku broke the good news to Governor Salim Mvurya and his deputy Fatuma Achani during a consultative meeting in Kwale on Thursday.

The closed-door discussions held at the county’s Department of Health Boardroom were attended by Governor Mvurya’s Cabinet and top management of KPA led by the MD.

“We shall hand over almost the entire operation of the port to the management of Kwale County government. What will remain with us is the very technical part of it. We will sign an agreement with Kwale County,” said Dr Manduku.

Mvurya hailed the move as unique and promised his administration’s support. “I want to guarantee you our total support throughout the process of establishing the port. It will be one of our game-changer projects,” he said.

He urged KPA to facilitate a capacity-building programme for the county administration.

“We want a comprehensive capacity building programme that will enable county management undertake the port’s management effectively. We know the port will provide a myriad opportunity to the people,” he said.