Ronald Ngala Utalii College seeks Sh1.9b more for first phase

The college estimated to cost Sh4.9 billion has started taking shape after several false starts. [Robert Menza, Standard]

Tourism Fund (TF), the State agency that putting up the Ronald Ngala Utalii College (RNUC) in Vipingo, Kilifi County says it requires Sh1.9 billion to complete the first phase of the facility.

According to the Fund's Director of Resource Mobilisation, Strategy and Planning Mr Eden Odhiambo, the funds will enable the works to be completed before the facility's opening in July 2022.

The college estimated to cost Sh4.9 billion has started taking shape after several false starts.

A new management team at the Fund led by Mr Alfonse Kioko and Acting Chief Executive Mr David Mwangi has pledged to ensure the facility is completed.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to grace the opening of the college in July, this year. "We are currently at 74 per cent of the first phase works. We need Sh1.9 billion to be channelled to us to complete the project and have the first batch of students enroll for hospitality courses," Mr Odhiambo said.

State officials have this year visited the institution following reports of delays to complete works.

Mr Odhiambo, who was accompanied by TF Coast Regional Manager Mr John Mutua, spoke after an inspection tour of the college, where he was briefed by the project consultants, Baseline Architects and main contractor Mr Mulji Devraj.

In January, Interior Principal Secretary Mr Karanja Kibicho led a team to inspect works which by then stood at 71 per cent, and said it be inaugurated by President Uhuru Kenyatta next July.

Ex-Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast branch chair Mr Titus Kangangi called for speedy completion of the project.