• Kingi said they have also initiated a project funded by the World Bank to set up a proper drainage system in the resort town to prevent flooding during the rainy season.
• Once the project is completed, all stormy water will be directed into the ocean to control runoff.
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
The Kilifi government is set to begin a beautification programme for Malindi in readiness for the tourism season.
Governor Amason Kingi said Malindi is a renowned tourism destination and would want to make it attractive for tourists. He said the programme will be launched this financial year through the Malindi municipality.
“Once the programme is complete, the true image of Malindi would be seen. All this will be done through close cooperation with the national government, the World Bank, and other donors who have volunteered to see the development of Malindi,” he said.
Kingi said they have also initiated a project funded by the World Bank to set up a proper drainage system in the resort town to prevent flooding during the rainy season. Once the project is completed, all stormy water will be directed into the ocean to control runoff.
“Our aim is to ensure Malindi maintains its status as a tourism destination, the beach road from Lawfords to Marine Park was similar to murram road but today the road has been made to the highest standards,” he said.
The governor said the economy of Malindi relies heavily on the tourism sector and no one wants to come and see a town that is unattractive.
Kingi said plans are also underway to tarmac all roads in the informal settlement areas and mount streetlights to enhance security.
He said most urban centres have been tarmacked so he seeks to extend the project to the informal areas to boost the economy by creating a proper environment for business.
“If the roads within Malindi town have tarmac, why are roads within Muyeye area not having tarmac? Why should roads in Kibokoni not have tarmac?" he said.
Kingi said the same applies to streetlights in all informal settlements, including Kisumu Ndogo to ensure there is security at night.
Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the current state of tourism in Malindi pains him.
“I have visited South Africa, Zanzibar, Mauritius, when I look at their beaches they are not as half as nice as that of Malindi and other areas here,” he said.
Hinga said through the Kenya Urban Support Programme, the Malindi waterfront project initiated by the county government will be a real game-changer for tourism.
He said the project, whose first phase is complete, is a journey of 1,000 miles that has begun and will ensure the municipality has one of the best waterfronts. The project costs less than Sh100 million.
“Beautifully done, well master-planned and because I was told the playground there was done as per the FIFA standards, I hope one of these days when Covid-19 goes down Malindi will be able to stage an international soccer tournament,” Hinga said.
The PS said with the current state of the project they can now bring President Uhuru Kenyatta to witness Malindi's transformation. He said its time to focus on Malindi because the future is in the resort town.
Already, for the past two years, Malindi tourism stakeholders, under the Malindi Progressive Welfare Association, have been doing monthly cleanups to ensure the town is clean and green.