President dishes goodies to Coast, campaigns for broad-based government

President William Ruto gets the feel of Norwegian Dawn, a 294-metre long passenger vessel, with more than 2,200 tourists on board . The cruise ship docked at the Mombasa Port. With him is the ship's Captain Maxim Kyselov (extreme right), Tourism CS Rebecca Miano (centre) and Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir.[PCS] President William Ruto has stepped up his efforts to entrench support for his administration at the Coast by continuing to unveil a blitz of goodies while promising more. Yesterday, the president who is on a weeklong tour of the region promised residents jobs, electricity connection, settlement of squatters, and water. President Ruto also used the tour to campaign for the broad-based government saying it will ensure that no part of Kenya is left behind in development. "We have agreed to work with everybody, even those in the opposition, to ensure that there is no discrimination. This government will ensure that no part of Kenya is left behind," he stated. Speaking in various meetings in Kwale County, President Ruto promised thousands of jobs to be generated at the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near the port of Mombasa through the construction of industries and told Coast residents to prepare for the opportunities through acquisition of skills. He announced that he will witness the signing of a Sh30 billion agreement between the president of Exim Bank and investors at Dongo Kundu SEZ next Friday that will see the establishment of industries and creation of jobs for the youth. "On Friday, the president of Exim Bank will sign agreements that will see the takeoff of the Dongo Kundu special economic zone and the expansion of the port of Mombasa. Different industries will be established and many jobs will be created," he said. President Ruto said he will this week launch a Sh6.5 billion project to extend power transmission from Mariakani to Dongo Kundu and the construction of a power station. He was flanked by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Education CS Julius Ogamba, Health CS Deborah Barasa and Kwale governor Fatuma Achani among others. At the same time, he said Sh25 billion will be used to provide water to Kwale and Mombasa counties including the Dongo Kundu project from Mwache dam. "The construction of Mwache dam is now at 35 percent. We have set aside Sh12 billion which will be used to lay water pipes," he stated. He said measures have been put in place to resolve the squatter menace in the Coast region, adding that funds are available to buy land from absentee landlords. "This government is going to resolve the squatter problem in the Coast region. We have already set aside funds to buy land from absentee landlords just like it was done for the Waitiki farm in Likoni," he assured. During the tour, the head of state launched a Sh1.4 billion last-mile connectivity project at Kiwegu secondary school in Lunga Lunga sub-county in Kwale County. The president said the project will provide electricity to over 12,700 households, unlocking new opportunities for economic growth. "By powering agribusiness and the blue economy, this initiative will drive wealth creation and improve livelihoods across the region," said Ruto. He also commissioned fully equipped classrooms and a laboratory at Kiwegu Secondary School, enhancing access to quality education in the region. The president later laid a foundation stone for the construction of an X-ray block at Mkongani health centre in Matuga sub-county and announced its elevation to level three status. He announced that the national government would give Sh30 million for the expansion of the health facility even as he urged residents to enroll in the Social Health Authority (SHA). He pledged government commitment to strengthen Community Health Promoters (CHP) saying that healthcare should start from the villages. "We did away with the National Health Insurance Fund because it only served the working class and the rich. You should register for SHA so that the poor can get health services instead of selling the only property they have to pay medical bills," he said. He said under SHA, those employed and the rich pay more noting that MPs contribute Sh20,000 each while he is taxed Sh50,000 monthly towards to the new fund. Ruto also urged parents in the country to ensure their children are in school saying that will enhance inclusivity among Kenyans. "The government spends Sh650 billion annually to fund education and has recruited many teachers to improve the quality. Chiefs should ensure that parents take all the children to school instead of using them to herd livestock," he directed. The president later launched the construction of an affordable housing project in Diani in Kwale county. He said 6,000 housing units will be built in that phase. He urged the youth to take up jobs in the affordable housing program, digital hubs, and labour migration where the government has signed bilateral agreements with various countries. "In the last two years, more than 270,000 have gone to work abroad under the labor migration programme," he said. On the blue economy, the president said the government was building beach landing sites along the Coastline at Sh1 billion and will acquire boats for deepsea fishing at Sh600 million by August this year.

President dishes goodies to Coast, campaigns for broad-based government

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