Both national and county government have joined hand in order to see the completion of the long-awaited Kshs 1.2 billion Regional Centre for Marine Transport and Port Logistics college in Chitsakamatsa, Matuga, Kwale County, which its construction is finally underway and in full swing.
The first phase—focused on building and equipping tuition blocks—is 82% complete, reigniting hopes for advancing maritime education in the region.
A section of the Regional Centre for Marine Transport and Port Logistics in Chitsakamatsa, Matuga, Kwale County
During a recent visit to the construction site, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the Regional Centre for Marine Transport and Port Logistics.
“This is a critical investment for the blue economy and skills development. We are determined to ensure it is completed without further delays,” said Kindiki.
He also announced plans to build 1,000 housing units nearby to offer affordable accommodation for students and enhance their learning environment.
“We want to initiate Phase II, which will include student hostels as part of the government’s affordable housing initiative,” he added.
Once completed, the centre is expected to transform marine transport training in the region and become a hub for port logistics education across East Africa.
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Deputy President Kindiki noted that the institution will not only benefit Kenya but also attract students from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Congo, and Ethiopia—equipping them with advanced skills in marine transport and port logistics.
The project is being implemented by the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, a leading Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution.
Kindiki said that the initiative aims to empower youth, uplift local communities, boost labour force specialization, and create job opportunities both locally and abroad.
“The aim of the government is to ensure that the centre develops competent graduates in the blue economy sector and also foster regional integration,” he said.
He added that already the project is providing employment opportunities to various youth and more will come via affordable housing units.
Kindiki has said that through the ongoing project and several similar initiatives, President William Ruto’s administration is committed to supporting sea-dependent communities across the coastal region.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki shakes hands with a casual laborer at Chitsakamatsa in Kwale County on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
According to Kindiki, the government is keen on ensuring that the communities are not left behind in national development efforts, especially in sectors where they have a natural advantage.
“We want to empower our coastal communities to tap into the immense potential of the blue economy through targeted mentorship and empowerment programs,” he said.
Kindiki emphasized that the blue economy which includes fisheries, marine transport, tourism, and ocean-based industries remains largely underutilized despite the region’s strategic location along the Indian Ocean.
He added that the government is working closely with both local and international partners to provide the necessary training, infrastructure, and market access to uplift livelihoods and create sustainable economic opportunities in the coastal belt.
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Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani said Marine Centre of excellence will be a beacon of opportunity, training students from Kenya and the East and Central African region in high-demand maritime fields such as port logistics, marine engineering, and shipbuilding.
She added that the institution will provide sufficient knowledge to youth spearheading the full exploration and exploitation of the blue economy opportunities to tackle the unemployment crisis.
Achani said the centre of excellence will greatly change the phase value of Kwale and its environs.
She called on the youths to make use of the opportunity once the project is fully implemented and enroll for courses that will give them skills that will market them for employment opportunities in the blue economy sector and related business opportunities.
The centre is part of the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP), funded by the World Bank and overseen by the national government.
Initially set to begin in late 2019, the project faced delays caused by budget shortfalls and political interference
BY OMAR SHABAN
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