Uhuru promises Mombasa goodies to lift local growth

Corporate News

 

President Uhuru Kenyatta welcomes his US counterpart Barack Obama at the Safaricom Gymnasium, Kasarani, in July. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE  

By GITONGA MARETE, gmarete@ke.nationmedia.com

The Mombasa Old Town fish market is set for renovation and installation of cold storage facilities to boost storage and improve earnings.

The government is also expected to redesign the Old Town seafront to provide a walkway and park to serve as a tourist attraction site in an effort to boost the sector’s fortunes, as the Kenya Power embarks on a project to light up the town to improve security and allow more working hours.

These are some of the projects President Uhuru Kenyatta announced as he concluded his tour of the coastal city. The President, who Thursday held meetings with more than 200 members of the Jubilee coalition, has been in Mombasa for six days.

In a statement from the Presidential Communications and Strategic Unit, Mr Kenyatta said the projects were part of the government’s initiative to improve Mombasa’s economy, create jobs, and stem violence and radicalisation of the youths.

“The government will buy fishing boats to be given to youth groups and cold storage facilities made available at the old port,” said the President.

“The government is not interested in making profits. Our aim is to create opportunities for families to have sources of livelihood.”

Devolution secretary Anne Waiguru is expected to kick-start the National Youth Service empowerment programmes in Likoni and other counties at the Coast, following the successful launch of the programme in Kisauni and Mombasa Old Town.

“The Mackinon Market will also be modernised and as the project continues, traders currently housed there will not be displaced but should allow for completion of the upgrade within three months,” the President added.

In the Old Town, the NYS plans to engage 1,300 youths to clean up the town, clear clogged drainage systems as well as build police posts and health clinics.

According to Ms Waiguru, the project has now reached 64 constituencies and has employed more than 70,000 young people.

Savings made by those engaged in NYS youth empowerment projects now stand at Sh500 million, she said.

Mining secretary Najib Balala told locals that a lack of employment should not be used as justification for abusing drugs or engaging in violent crimes.

Governor Hassan Joho said the NYS programme is a noble project and called on the youths to invest well the money they earn from the jobs.