President William Ruto has announced new investments in education, roads, markets and land ownership as he continued his development tour of the Coast region. The projects aim to expand economic opportunities for residents. Ruto said access to higher education should be determined by students' academic ability rather than their parents' financial circumstances. He proposed the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, to provide full financial support to students admitted to universities, technical colleges and Kenya Medical Training College.
Ruto laid the foundation stone for Sh150 million student hostels at Godoma Technical Training Institute in Ganze Constituency, Kilifi County. The government will invest a further Sh200 million to expand the institution's facilities and increase its capacity to accommodate twice its current student population. The investments are part of a broader effort to equip young people with skills required to take advantage of new economic opportunities emerging along the Coast. Ruto said the projects would require a skilled workforce.
The President commissioned Watamu Technical and Vocational College in Watamu town, Kilifi North Constituency. The institution will play a critical role in preparing young people for jobs created by major investments. The government will equip the institution with facilities worth Sh45 million to strengthen its training capacity. Ruto said the development of technical institutions was particularly important as the Coast undergoes increased investment in infrastructure, energy, housing and manufacturing.
Ruto also commissioned a modern market in Watamu, one of 12 markets being constructed in Kilifi County under the Affordable Housing Programme. The national government is investing Sh25 billion in Kilifi in affordable housing, modern markets and student hostels. The projects aim to improve livelihoods while promoting inclusive development. Ruto said the government would continue to prove critics wrong with every project.
The President launched construction of the 13-kilometre Gede-Kakuyuni road at Mijomboni in Kilifi North, which is being upgraded at a cost of Sh1 billion. The annual road budget for Kilifi has increased ninefold, from an average of Sh2 billion in 2022 to Sh18 billion currently. The upgrade aims to accelerate expansion of the county's road network.
Ruto issued 5,000 title deeds to beneficiaries from Dongo Kundu, Waitiki, Mwakirunge, Mikindani and Mafisini settlement schemes at Mama Ngina Waterfront Grounds in Mombasa. The titles are part of 300,000 documents the government is issuing across the Coast this week to address historical land ownership concerns. Ruto said the government would not relent in efforts to resolve historical land injustices.
The President assured residents that those who had occupied land would not be evicted under the government's compensation plan. He also warned absentee landlords against frustrating efforts to resolve historical land injustices. The projects form part of Ruto's wider Coast tour, during which the government is showcasing investments in infrastructure, education, housing, land and economic development.
Key points
- President Ruto announces new investments in education, roads, markets and land ownership in Kenya's Coast region
- The projects aim to expand economic opportunities for residents and address historical land ownership concerns
- Ruto's government is investing Sh25 billion in Kilifi in affordable housing, modern markets and student hostels
