All set as Uhuru is expected to launch mega projects in Mombasa

It is all systems go as President Uhuru Kenyatta is today expected in Mombasa to commission a number of development projects in the region.

According to the State House itinerary, the President is expected at the Sh4.5 billion Makupa Bridge at around noon, before he commissions the construction of the Metre-Gauge Railway from Mombasa Central Business District to Miritini SGR Terminus.

The Head of State is later expected to tour the port of Mombasa for the commissioning of the new Kipevu Oil Terminal and phase II of the second container terminal before going to Dongo Kundu.

Addressing the media at the Makupa bridge, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said that the commissioning of the Makupa bridge will help to reduce the confusion and traffic witnessed.

"There was a lot of confusion due to the traffic jam, people used to miss their flights."

"But all this is set to change with the commissioning of this bridge," said Macharia.

The CS said that the commissioning of the bridge will allow water to flow under the bridge after the demolition of the course way.

This he said was going to elevate Mombasa to the global map as an international island, a move he said is expected to attract more international tourists to the country.

Macharia also said that the ground-breaking of the commuter gauge railway that will connect the Standard Gauge Railway to the CBD, a distance of about three kilometres will be a game changer in terms of easing access to the SGR terminal in Miritini.

"People had to enter buses, matatu or use bodaboda to get to the CBD, but the groundbreaking of this project will allow us to construct at a cost of Sh4.2 billion a new Meter Guarge Railway line," Macharia said.

He added that the government was also going to rehabilitate the old meter gauge saying that all this will be done in the next 10 months.

Commissioning of the new Sh40 billion Kipevu Oil Terminal Macharia said was going to help Kenya increase its storage capacity of petroleum and petroleum products.

The CS added that the president will also launch the Liwatoni Fish Processing Plant in Likoni.

"He will also flag off a team of seafarers trained at the Bandari Maritime Academy. This will open up Kenya to the international Maritime labour market," said Macharia.

"This is an important day for us in the development of the coast region. Going forward, Mombasa and the region will be different not just for tourism but in terms of development."