Uhuru gives priority to Kwale road upgrade

President Uhuru Kenyatta Wednesday outlined a raft of measures to improve the lives of residents of Kwale when he met the county’s leaders.

First on the list of the projects to be completed this year is tarmacking of the Samburu-Kinango-Kwale road.

“This road is a priority this year and we will put emphasis on it so that we can open up the economy of the county,” said the President.

Development of a water supply system at Mkanda Dam is also being given attention.

The Kwale county government has already allocated Sh150 million towards the projects.

The Head of State instructed Environment, Water and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu, who attended the meeting, to undertake feasibility studies and support the county to finish the project.

The dam holds enough water to supply the whole of Lunga Lunga and Matuga all year round.

“I want this project to be completed as soon as possible,” said the President.

AIRSTRIP

Priority is also being given to efforts to upgrade the Ukunda Airstrip. The work is being undertaken by the national government.

The President informed the leaders — including Governor Salim Mvurya, Senator Boy Juma Boy and county assembly members — at State House, Nairobi, that plans to upgrade the airstrip were in top gear.

The Head of State said the government would next year start working on plans to develop a fishing port at Shimoni.

“Mombasa port can continue handling cargo and Shimoni will be for the fishing industry,” he said.

TITLE DEEDS

Also to be fast-tracked is the issuing of title deeds to residents of Kwale.

Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu, who also attended the meeting, will soon visit the county in the company of her Environment counterpart for further discussion with the leaders to iron out any outstanding issues.

During their visit, the ministers will seek to find a lasting solution to the human-wildlife conflict, among other issues.

Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori said the residents would feel protected once they had title deeds.

“The rich who have grabbed land from the poor are the same people who are spreading ethnic hatred at the Coast,” he said.

The governor presented an official invitation to the President from the county assembly for a meeting with the leaders in Kwale.

Mr Kenyatta said he would meet the county assembly members as soon as possible, after the end of the month of Ramadhan.

Other leaders in the delegation were MPs Gonzi Rai (Kinango), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga) and Hassan Mwanyoha (Matuga), and Kwale Woman Representative Zeinab Chidzuga.