President William Ruto on Monday concluded his five-day development tour of the Coast region with the launch of a KSh3 billion electricity sub-station in Mariakani, Kilifi County, alongside the unveiling of new affordable housing and market projects in Mombasa.
The President said the projects are part of the government’s broader strategy to transform the Coast into a major economic and industrial hub while addressing long-standing challenges including unreliable electricity, water shortages and land ownership disputes.
Mariakani Power Project to Boost Industries
Speaking during the launch of the Mariakani electricity sub-station in Kaloleni Constituency, Ruto said the project would stabilize electricity supply across the Coast region and support industrial growth.
“The biggest problem in this region has been low electricity voltage generated through expensive thermal energy,” Ruto said.
He explained that the new sub-station will transmit electricity from Ethiopia and Naivasha to the Coast, significantly reducing reliance on costly thermal power.
According to the President, the improved electricity infrastructure is expected to support industries operating in the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone and create employment opportunities for thousands of young people.
Affordable Housing and Modern Market Projects Unveiled
At Makupa in Mvita Constituency, Mombasa County, the President laid the foundation stone for a modern market and affordable housing project estimated to cost KSh600 million.
Ruto said the affordable housing initiative would provide decent homes for residents while also generating jobs for local youth through construction and related sectors.
The President also announced plans to establish a truck parking yard and 1,000 affordable housing units on 10 acres of land hived off from the Kenya Agricultural Research Organisation (KARO) in Mariakani.
Govt Moves to Address Water Shortages
During the tour, Ruto directed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to collaborate with the Kilifi County Government in laying water pipes to improve water access for residents in Mariakani and surrounding areas.
He further assured Coast residents that the long-awaited Mwache Dam project would soon be completed to help solve the region’s persistent water shortages.
Ruto Promises Solution to Coast Land Disputes
The President also revisited the sensitive issue of land ownership at the Coast, saying his administration had allocated KSh5 billion to compensate absentee landlords and issue title deeds to squatters occupying the land.
“We have allocated KSh5 billion to pay off absentee landlords so that we give the squatters occupying these lands ownership documents,” he said.
Ruto revealed that the government had already issued 381,000 title deeds in the Coast region and plans to distribute another 200,000 within the next 90 days.
Leaders Back Development Agenda
The events were attended by several senior government officials and political leaders, including Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho, Salim Mvurya and Opiyo Wandayi, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Members of Parliament and MCAs from the region were also present.
As he wrapped up the tour, Ruto urged Coast residents to support the broad-based government, insisting that his administration was focused on delivering tangible development projects across the country.
“Kilifi and the wider Coast region will not be left out of our development plans as was the case before. We will develop this region as we do the rest of Kenya,” the President said.
