List Of Big Tasks Uhuru Did During Mombasa Tour

The President did take some time off for enjoyment...

List Of Big Tasks Uhuru Did During Mombasa Tour
President Uhuru Kenyatta opening the Makupa bridge on August 4, 2022. /PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta had a busy Thursday, August 4 launching projects and undertaking other assignments in Mombasa County as his 10-year term inches closer to the big conclusion.

He began at Makupa where he launched the new Ksh4.5 billion Makupa Bridge and commissioned the construction of the Makupa railway bridge and Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) line from Mombasa Central Station to the SGR Terminus in Miritini. 

The 450-metre long, 8-lane dual carriageway Makupa Bridge has replaced the 1929 Makupa Causeway that was prone to heavy traffic congestion and had become a threat to the marine ecosystem.

An aerial view of the Makupa Bridge. /PSCU

As part of the launch, President Kenyatta witnessed the removal of the Makupa Causeway, allowing the free flow of Indian Ocean waters across the new bridge and restoring Mombasa City's status as a true island.

“This bridge will help in the transport of goods and people. The usual traffic congestion experienced we have been experiencing will now be history,” Uhuru remarked.

He then opened the Ksh40 billion offshore Kipevu Oil Terminal (Kipevu II) at the Port of Mombasa. 

The 770-metre long jetty with the capacity to load/offload all categories of petroleum products from very large sea tankers of up to 200,000DWT is the largest of its kind in Africa.

The jetty was developed as part of sustained government efforts to lower fuel pump prices in the country by saving over Ksh2 billion incurred annually in demurrage costs.

The Head of State also opened the Liwatoni Fisheries Complex in Mombasa County, a state-owned fish processor that was revived as part of Govt efforts to promote the growth of Kenya's blue economy.

The fish processor is equipped with facilities capable of processing all types of fish into various products, and a 10,000 metric tonnes per year cold storage.

Uhuru also flagged off 350 young Kenyan seafarers who are joining Celebrity Cruises, a Miami-based cruise company.

The President wished the Bandari Maritime Academy trained seafarers success in their new careers and challenged them to be great Kenyan ambassadors wherever they'll be deployed to serve.

He challenged the newly hired seafarers to be good brand ambassadors of the Kenyan nation saying their conduct will determine the demand for Kenyan maritime professionals by international shipping lines.

“To the new recruits that we are commissioning today, let me remind you that you sail out as our ambassadors. How many more Kenyans are recruited in the future will, to a large extent, depend on the image of Kenya you project abroad,” the President said. 

The President recalled with nostalgia the good old days when Kenya used to be the leading regional source market for seafarers, serving major shipping lines across the world. 

“I remember the many Kenyans who used to come here with good money after serving abroad. We wish you the very best as you embark on your new career," he noted.

The President did take some time off for enjoyment, with a video showing him, outgoing Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Mombasa gubernatorial candidate Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir dancing to the popular reggae song One Love by Bob Marley.

The song is simply an expression of unity and is often used by Rastafarians as well as reggae musicians and it's a timely one as it looked as though the President was passing the message of unity ahead of the August 9 general elections.

Watch the video: