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Nairobi, August 20, 2009
Cabinet brief
The Cabinet has today approved the go ahead for implementation of 18 Multi-purpose projects across the country over the next 8 years. The projects are expected to cost an estimated Kshs. 250 Billion.
Meeting under the Chairmanship of President Mwai Kibaki at State House Nairobi, the Cabinet noted that the projects are expected to deal with some of the major challenges facing the country on a medium and long term basis.
The projects will be implemented by the six regional development authorities with mandates in various parts of the country.
The projects cover:
- Irrigation of food and cash crops
- Hydro-electric power generation
- Supply of clean water
- Development of fisheries
- Water catchments conservation
- Creation of local employment
- Rural centered development
Following Cabinet approval of the projects, the Ministry of Regional Development and other relevant ministries will now commence the process of implementing the 18 projects.
The government will finance feasibility studies while actual financing will be realized through Private-Public partnerships.
President Kibaki underlined the importance of urgently implementing the projects that would greatly enhance the economic growth of all regions in the country and create the much needed employment opportunities for Kenyan youth.
Once implemented the projects are expected to directly create 213,000 jobs and another 956,000 indirect jobs.
The following is the breakdown of the projects under the various regional development authorities.
1. COAST DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Sabaki River Integrated Project
- Lake Chala Integrated Water resource project
- Mwache Dam Multi-purpose project
2. EWASO NYIRO NORTH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Wajir Integrated Development project
- Northern Kenya Integrated Abattoir project
- Development of gum-arabic and gum raisins
3. EWASO NYIRO SOUTH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Lower Ewaso Nyiro River basin Integrated and Multi-purpose project
- Integrated Greater Mara Tourism development project
- Integrated Mau catchment conservation and development project
4. TANA RIVER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Upper Tana catchment , afforestation and conservation project
- High Grand Falls Multi-purpose project
- Munyu Multi-purpose reservoir
- Kibwezi Irrigation project
5. LAKE BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Nandi Hydro-power integrated development project
- Magwagwa Multi-purpose project
- Webuye-Teremi Multi -purpose project
6. KERIO VALLEY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Turkwell Downstream Irrigation and Multi-purpose project
- Arror Integrated Multi-purpose project
- Cherangani Hills water shed conservation and rehabilitation multi- purpose project
In addition to the direct (213,000) and indirect (956,000) jobs, the projects will create the following extra benefits for the country:
Ø Extra 630 megawatts of power to the nation grid,
Ø Additional 600,000 acres of land under irrigation and
Ø 15,700 square kilometers of forest cover.
At today’s meeting Cabinet also approved the Tourism Bill and Tourism Policy. The Tourism Policy is the first in Kenya’s history.
The Tourism Bill consolidates the various laws currently regulating the sector into one Act of parliament.
The Tourism policy will give new direction and impetus in the development, management and promotion of the sector.
Some of the highlights of the policy include the formation of a Tourism Service, the Kenya Tourism Authority and the Tourism Finance Corporation.
The Tourism Finance Corporation will provide and mobilize financial support to the various players in the industry.
The Cabinet has also approved the transfer of assets worth Kshs 740 Million from the Postal Corporation of Kenya to the Postal Corporation of Kenya Pension Fund Scheme.
The transfer will enable the pension scheme meet current R.B.A. requirements.