The national government has spent Sh 144 billion to build 2,200 kilometers of roads in the Coast region to spur economic growth, create jobs and wealth for more than four million residents.
State Department of Infrastructure Principal Secretary Pro Paul Maringa revealed that, the roads built in Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita Taveta counties have improved the road network and continue to attract local and foreign investments.
“We have to appreciate the amount of investment this government has committed in the six counties of this region. We have completed, planning, and ongoing road projects across this region,” he added.
Speaking during a media briefing by the National Development Implementation Technical Committee (NDITC) after an extensive inspection of multi-billion infrastructure projects in Mombasa County.
The PS further stated that of Sh144 billion, Sh 25 billion trickled into the pockets of the local population, while an additional Sh 70 billion was used for the purchase of locally available construction materials.
The State House Chief Of Staff Nzioka Mwaita, who led the NDITC team further indicated that, more than 3000 people have been directly employed since the inception of the mega infrastructure projects.
“The President is committed to ensuring there is equity in the development of our nation. That is why this team is here to inspect these projects. We have roads Garsen- Lamu road in Tana River and Lamu counties, Mavueni- Bamba- Mariakani Road in Kilifi, Roads in Kwale, Voi-Taita- Taveta road in Taita Taveta county,” he said.
He added: “The projects have been done by Kenyan professionals and the public can now see the amount of money President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government has utilized,”.
The group also inspected several mega infrastructural projects classified under Mombasa Port Area Road Development.
The road projects include Sh11.5 billion Miritini- Mwache- Kipevu link road, which is a hundred percent completed.
“This road is a unique piece of infrastructure with provisions to the Mombasa Port, Moi International Airport, SGR Mombasa Terminus, the Nairobi – Mombasa Highway, the upcoming Northern Bypass, as well as Mwache to Dongo Kundu and Dongo Kundu to Kibundani,” added Maringa.
“The new road will consist of a dual carriageway starting from the Mwache interchange and the New Container Terminal at Kipevu, Mombasa Port. The road runs in a southerly direction from the Mwache interchange crossing the Mwache Creek and going through Tsunza before turning eastwards across the Mteza Creek. The total length of the package 2 project road measures 8.96km,” he added.
The team stated that they were impressed with the progress of the projects and called on the contractors to accelerate the remaining work to ensure they are completed within the stipulated time frame.
The new Mombasa Southern bypass road is aimed at allowing efficient and quick access into and out of the Mombasa port city by avoiding the Mombasa CBD traffic.
He acknowledged that mega infrastructure projects under Mombasa Port Area Road Development are a game-changer to the North and South Coast counties.
He indicated that besides the development of new trading centers along the corridor, the projects will also revitalize tourism in South Coast, where visitors are expected to spend less than 25 minutes between Diani and Moi International Airport and Mombasa SGR terminus.