The government is committed to ending decades of marginalisation in historically overlooked regions, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said.
Speaking during an Economic Empowerment Forum in Faza Island, Lamu East, Kindiki promised to uplift underdeveloped areas like Lamu to the same level as the rest of the country.
He acknowledged that some parts of Kenya have been deliberately sidelined since independence and pledged that the current administration is working to correct this.
Kindiki announced that the government has compensated 70 per cent of fishermen displaced by the construction of the Lamu Port, following a court order.
Plans are in place to settle the remaining 30 percent. He also revealed a Sh239 million investment in fish landing sites in Mokowe and Lamu.
The coastal region will further benefit from grants to expand beach management units, which aim to boost the fishing business.
The Deputy President added that President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy to fast-track the operationalisation of key coastal ports in Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale.
Modern deep-sea speedboats have also been procured.
On security, Kindiki assured Lamu residents that efforts to beef up safety would continue, especially in Mpeketoni and Witu.
"We are saying two terms so that we can complete the fish landing sites, so that we can fulfill our promises we made like expansion of roads, affordable housing, electricity connectivity and bring development to all parts of Kenya," he said.
Kindiki also highlighted the abolishment of fees for acquiring National IDs and urged citizens to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
He noted that Lamu County has already enrolled 150,000 residents, representing 50 percent of its population—second only to Mombasa.
The government has allocated Sh307 million for last-mile electricity connectivity in Lamu County, with Sh173 million earmarked for Lamu East.
Affordable housing projects are also underway in Mokowe, Hindi, and Mpeketoni. Other national programs include recruitment in public service, police, teaching, climate jobs, and Kazi Mtaani.
Kindiki called on opposition leaders to wait for the 2027 elections instead of inciting unrest. He emphasized that the administration needs two terms to fulfill its promises.
He was accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy (Lamu), National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Owen Baya (Kilifi North) Captain Ruweida Mohammed (Lamu East), Muthoni Marubu (Lamu County).
Others were Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West), John Bwire (Taveta), Zamzam Mohamed (Mombasa), Fatuma Masito (Kwale), William Kamket (Tiaty), Sabina Chege (Nominated), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi (Lafey), Leah Sankaire (Kajiado), Geoffrey Mulanya (Nambale), and Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) among others.
