William Samoei Ruto Meets Coast Leaders, Pledges Major Infrastructure Boost
Politics Updated: 13 March 2026 21:14 EAT
President William Ruto and Dom leader Oburu Oginga hosts Muslim Faithfuls for Iftar Dinner at State House, Mombasa
President William Samoei Ruto spent Friday in the coastal city of Mombasa where he held high-level consultations with regional leaders and government officials on development priorities for Kenya’s Coast region.
The meeting took place at State House Mombasa and brought together political leaders, senior government officials and administrators from the six coastal counties to deliberate on infrastructure, tourism, the blue economy and investment opportunities.
During the discussions, the president said the national government was committed to accelerating development projects aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the Coast, which he described as a critical gateway for Kenya’s trade and tourism sectors.
Ruto emphasized that the region plays a strategic role in the country’s economy due to its maritime resources, tourism attractions and the presence of the busy Port of Mombasa, one of East Africa’s main trade corridors.
He pledged that the government would prioritise the dualisation of the Mombasa–Malindi Highway to improve transport, boost tourism and enhance the movement of goods and services across the coastal counties.
The president also promised to fast-track the upgrading of the Mombasa–Lunga Lunga Road, saying the project would strengthen cross-border trade with neighbouring Tanzania and create new economic opportunities for communities living along the corridor.
Ruto said the government would ensure that local communities benefit directly from national investments in port operations, road construction and tourism development.
Among those associated with the coastal development agenda is Hassan Joho, the Cabinet Secretary responsible for the blue economy docket, whose ministry oversees maritime resources and investment opportunities along the Indian Ocean coastline.
Leaders from counties including Kilifi County, Kwale County, Lamu County, Tana River County and Taita Taveta County were part of the broader consultations on economic priorities for the region.
The discussions also focused on strategies to revitalise tourism along the Indian Ocean coast and strengthen investment in the maritime sector under the government’s blue economy programme.
Ruto told the leaders that cooperation between the national government and county administrations would be key in delivering projects that improve livelihoods and create employment for young people in the region.
The meeting formed part of the president’s broader engagement with regional leaders across the country as the government pushes forward its economic transformation agenda.
The consultations ended with a renewed commitment by both national and county leaders to work together to accelerate infrastructure development and expand economic opportunities across Kenya’s Coast region.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD