Mombasa: The government is determined to deliver high-quality infrastructure projects across the country with the potential to contribute to the growth of the economy and benefit the people. Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Performance and Delivery Management, Eliud Owalo, says the government is keen to deliver infrastructure projects which will enable economic activities to thrive.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mr. Owalo was speaking to the media at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) Mombasa, where his office organized a stakeholder’s engagement forum. He stated that the government recognizes that infrastructure development promotes trade and drives economic growth. Owalo, whose office is in charge of the delivery management function of the national government, emphasized his commitment to tracking the implementation of national government projects to enhance transparency and accountability.
The former ICT Cabinet Secretary is in Mombasa and plans to travel to Lamu to vis
it numerous priority project sites and gather firsthand information on their status. Owalo reiterated the Kenya Kwanza brigade’s promise to Kenyans during the electioneering period leading up to the 2022 general election to fully implement initiatives and projects that can contribute to the national economy’s growth.
Owalo emphasized the government’s commitment to actualizing the country’s economic potential through mutual understandings and partnerships with all stakeholders, aiming to create a favorable business environment. He was accompanied by Mombasa Speaker Aharub Khatri, Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor, head of the Government Unit Lee Kyonzo, Sherry Ariko in charge of the Government Delivery Unit in the coastal region, and a host of MCAs.
In Mombasa, Owalo visited the Sh. 54 billion Dongo Kundu Bypass Highway, the Sh. 40 billion Mombasa Special Economic Zone Development Project, the Sh. 1.5 billion Liwatoni Fishing complex, the Sh. 7 billion Nyali
Affordable Housing Project, and the Sh. 25 billion Mombasa-Malindi Dual Carriageway. He noted that investment in mega road transport and port infrastructure projects will enhance regional connectivity and boost export efficiencies in the long run.
Owalo highlighted other ongoing projects in the coastal region, such as the Sh. 20 billion Mwache Multipurpose mega dam and the Sh. 2.6 billion Shimoni fish port project in Kwale County. He mentioned that the Shimoni fishing port project is 80 percent complete, marking a significant milestone in revitalizing the coastal economy and transforming the fishing industry.
He called on the 47 devolved units to collaborate closely with the national government to deliver projects that meet stringent standards for the people. The government is committed to ending poverty in the country through effective social protection measures and policies under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on Agricultural Transformation; Micro, Small, and Medium Ent
erprise (MSME) Economy; Healthcare; Housing and Settlement; and Digital Superhighway and Creative economy.
Owalo stated that the government is keen on establishing a digital economy to improve the efficiency of government businesses and services, recognizing it as a key driver of economic growth and development. The government has digitized over 1800 services to this end. Additionally, the Hustler Fund and the Affordable Housing Programme, signature projects of President William Ruto, are designed to promote increased resilience of livelihoods.
In Lamu, Owalo and his team plan to visit the Lamu sea port, the Lamu-Ijara-Garissa road, Mokowe smart jetty, and the Manda airport expansion. Speaker Aharub Khatri praised the infrastructure projects being implemented in the coastal region, noting their importance for economic growth and citizens’ wellbeing. He emphasized the need for transparency in infrastructure projects for accountability, efficient use of public resources, and trust in the government.
Jemimah
Kutata, a civil society activist, welcomed the government’s move to engage the public in forums that encourage citizen participation and feedback in infrastructure development projects.