Uhuru extends his Coast work tour to fulfill poll pledges

President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent the clearest indication yet that he will spend more time at the Coast after his team unveiled a series of events he is expected to officiate at and programmes he is scheduled to launch.

On Friday, for instance, the President will be launching a Sh224 million street lighting project for Mombasa Central Business District, Old Town, Nyali, Likoni, Majengo, Bondeni, Mbaraki, Changamwe and Kongowea. The ceremony will be held at Makadara Grounds in the evening.

The programme dubbed “Mwangaza Mtaani” is expected to encourage a 24-hour economy and is part of a bigger project known as “Powering Freedom”.

“The 24–hour economy benefits Kenyans by increasing the number of jobs available, and increases productivity by using available manpower, space and technology in more efficient ways,” said State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu.

A similar project to be undertaken in Kilifi, Malindi, Watamu, Timboni and Gede is expected to cost Sh94 million while one for Ukunda, Diani and Tiwi in Kwale County will cost the Government Sh62 million.

TITLE DEEDS

Between Thursday and next week, Mr Kenyatta is expected to issue more than 16,000 title deeds to land owners in three counties in the region, launch a Sh1.2 billion national street lighting programme and later launch the Kilifi-based Baricho Water Works.

The launch follows the commissioning of the Sh46 million Vumbe water project in Lamu County, built with the support of the Iranian government.

Mr Esipisu said that the President, who has been at the Coast since December 24, would remain in the region longer on a working tour.

In the last three weeks, Mr Kenyatta has been meeting leaders from the Coast, given out title deeds in Mombasa and Lamu and visited the Kongowea market among other engagements interpreted as a charm offensive in a region considered an Opposition stronghold.

PLEDGES DELIVERY

“The focus of the visit has been delivery on the Jubilee administration’s pledges regarding infrastructure – including sea and air ports, roads and rail as well as land, water, jobs and security,” Mr Esipisu said during Wednesday’s news briefing at State House, Mombasa.

The President is scheduled to issue 16,614 title deeds with Kwale land owners expected to get 8,939, Taita Taveta 5,121 and 2,554 for Kilifi.

Last week, he issued a total of 9,080 with 4,073 in Lamu County and 5,007 to beneficiaries of the Waitiki land in Mombasa.

“All this is in line with the Jubilee manifesto on land,” said Mr Esipisu. “It also goes to affirm the President’s position that he will provide the land answer to the land question not only at the Coast, but across the entire country”.