By PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta today commissioned the dualling of the Mombasa-Mariakani highway, capping the Kshs 60 billion invested by the Jubilee administration in infrastructure in Mombasa County.
The dualling of the six-lane highway, which will ease congestion, will start with the construction of the 11.3 km Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu section at a cost of kshs 6.1 billion.
Speaking during the launch at Changamwe, President Kenyatta said his administration is focused on improving infrastructure in the Coastal region and across the country to spur economic growth and create jobs for the youth.
“All this investment in infrastructure, we are making here and across the country, is meant to stimulate economic growth that will create the much-needed jobs for our young people,” President Kenyatta said.
The second section of the dualling of the major highway, from Kwa Jomvu to Mariakani, is also done concurrently at a cost of Kshs 6 billion.
President Kenyatta, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, directed the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure to ensure the project employs local youth.
Other road projects by the Jubilee administration in the Coastal county of Mombasa include the Kshs 2.7 billion Port Reitz/Moi International access road, a crucial link that will provide the necessary connection to the newly constructed second container terminal. The Construction of the Mombasa Southern Bypass (Dongo Kundu – Mwache road) at a cost of Kshs 12.5 billion is also ongoing.
Apart from decongesting Mombasa city, President Kenyatta said the ongoing road projects will also facilitate the growth of tourism.
“When the number of visitors to this city grows, more job opportunities will be created and the youth will benefit,” said President Kenyatta.
President Kenyatta also spoke on his administration’s focus on expanding the Port of Mombasa to make it the port of choice for the region between Cairo in Egypt and Durban, South Africa.
Speaking at Changamwe, Deputy President Ruto said while the Jubilee Government has concentrated on improving infrastructure and invested in other projects to lift the lives of the Kenyans, the opposition has been busy trying to undermine those efforts.
The Deputy President also told off the opposition over their interference with the work of the acting Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Fred Matiang’i.
“Those who are competing with us must leave Matiang’i to do his job. He has a right to sit with the Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati and plan for the security of Kenyans during this electioneering period,” the DP said.
He asked the opposition to make up their mind whether they want to be “players” in the August polls or they will but “referees”, saying they cannot be both.
The Jubilee Government has also invested heavily in infrastructure in other Coastal Counties.
In Kilifi, President Kenyatta last September launched the Kshs 4.2 billion State-funded construction of the 110-kilometre Malindi-Sala Gate, one of the key roads that will boost tourism and promote the economy for the benefit of residents.
Early this year, President Kenyatta flagged off the tarmacking of the famous Mariakani-Bamba road at a cost of Kshs 2.1 billion.
In March, the President also launched construction of the Kshs 1.5 billion Marikebuni-Majengo-Marafa road, the upgrading to bitumen standards of the 35-kilometre Kaloleni-Kilifi road at a cost of Kshs 2.3 billion.
In Tana River County, the tarmacking of the Hola-Bura-Charidende- Madogo road is underway while in Lamu County has the Witu-Lamu road which is ongoing among others.
The President also visited Rabai in Kilifi County where he issued 1100 title deeds, say Jubilee is committed to solving the problem of squatters in the Coast region.