KWALE, Kenya – In a significant development, the Kenyan government is setting up the Regional Centre for Marine Transport and Port Logistics at Kombani area in Matuga Constituency, Kwale County, at Sh607 million.
The flagship institution’s first phase, which entails erecting and furnishing tuition blocks, is 82% finished, giving the region’s aspirations for marine education new life.
The national government is leading the World Bank-funded project, which is being carried out under the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP).
Budgetary restrictions and political meddling had previously caused its advancement to stall. Its construction was planned to commence in late 2019.
Y News has established that the centre will offer specialised training to students from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Courses will cover careers in maritime transport, sea ferrying, port management and logistics, shipbuilding, marine science, marine engineering, and other high-specialisations worldwide.
Earlier this morning, HE Governor #FatumaAchani joined the DP, H.E. @KindikiKithure, along with PS Betty from the Blue Economy, for a site visit and inspection of the ongoing construction of the Regional Centre for Marine Transport and Port Logistics at Chitsakamatsa in Kombani.
The centre is part of the government’s wide interventions to revitalise value chains in the blue economy and empower communities whose livelihoods depend on maritime ecosystems.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki reassured locals of the ruling Kenya Kwanza government’s renewed commitment to completing the construction of the institution during a recent surprise inspection visit to the site.
“This investment is essential for the development of skills and the blue economy. Kindiki stated, “We are committed to making sure it is completed without any further delays.”
The second in command also revealed that preparations are underway to create 1,000 housing units within the vicinity to provide affordable housing units for students and ease their learning experience.
“As part of the government’s affordable housing initiative, we want to start Phase II, which will include student hostels,” he stated.
Upon completion, the centre is anticipated to become a core for port logistics education in East Africa and transform maritime transport training in the area.
The Government of Kenya is constructing a Regional Centre for Marine Transport and Port Logistics at Kombani in Matuga Constituency, Kwale County, at a cost of KSh 607 million. Now 82% complete, the Centre will train students from Kenya and neighboring countries—Uganda, Tanzania,
The project’s implementing agency is the renowned Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution, Kenya Coast National Polytechnic.
According to the DP, the program aims to increase labour force specialisation, empower young people, improve local communities, and create employment prospects both domestically and abroad.
“Regional integration and the development of skilled graduates in the blue economy sector are the government’s goals,” explained DP Kindiki.
He continued by saying that the project is already giving many young people work possibilities and that more would follow through the provision of cheap housing units.
According to Kindiki, President William Ruto’s administration is dedicated to helping sea-dependent people throughout the coastal region through the ongoing project and several related programs.
Kindiki claims that the government is eager to make sure that communities are included in national development initiatives, particularly in areas where they naturally excel.
“Through focused mentoring and empowerment initiatives, we hope to enable our coastal communities to fully realise the enormous promise of the blue economy,” he stated.
Accompanied H.E. the Deputy President @KindikiKithure on a tour of the Regional Centre for Marine Transport & Port Logistics in Kwale.At 82% complete, the Sh607M Centre will train youth from Kenya & the region in high-demand maritime skills.
Despite the region’s advantageous location along the Indian Ocean, Kindiki underlined that the blue economy, which encompasses tourism, marine transportation, fisheries, and ocean-based industries, remains generally underutilised.
To improve livelihoods and establish sustainable economic prospects in the coastal belt, he continued, the government is collaborating closely with both domestic and foreign partners to supply the required infrastructure, training, and market access.
According to Kindiki, the current building of Kwale’s Shimoni Fish Port is almost finished and is anticipated to completely transform the local economy.
Kindiki pointed out that once the modern port is up and running, it will provide jobs and raise earnings for local populations that rely heavily on the ocean for their livelihood, in addition to increasing fish processing and export.
Y News knows that as part of a larger strategy to boost the blue economy, the government is building fish landing stations in each of the six coastal counties in addition to the Shimoni project.
Kindiki stated, “These landing sites are intended to assist our fishermen by offering necessary infrastructure that enhances the value of their catch.”
The Government is constructing the Regional Centre for Marine Transport and Port Logistics at Kombani in Matuga Constituency, Kwale County at a cost of 607 million shillings.
According to the deputy president, each landing site will have dedicated refrigeration and storage spaces to guarantee the correct handling and preservation of fish products.
“There is a place for nurturing and culturing seeds and fingerlings, and other marine species at the Shimoni Marine and Culture Centre for Excellence,” said Kindiki.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani observed that training students from Kenya and East and Central Africa at the facility will make the Marine Centre of Excellence a beacon of opportunity.
She added that the institute will provide the necessary knowledge to youth, driving the full investigation and exploitation of the blue economy potential to alleviate the unemployment challenge.
“The centre of excellence will drastically change the phase value of Kwale and its vicinity,” Governor Achani said.
After the project, she urged the young people to take advantage of this chance and register for courses that would provide them with the skills necessary to market themselves for jobs in the blue economy sector and associated business opportunities.
