This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
Coast leaders are set to meet President Kenyatta next month to push for the completion of key projects that they believe will create thousands of jobs and salvage the region's economy.
According to Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, the meeting will be held during the Agricultural Society of Kenya show next month, and will focus on expediting the completion of projects such as the Sh30 billion Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone in Mombasa, the Sh20 billion Shimoni fishing port in Kwale, and the Sh42 billion Mzima II water project.
Mr Joho, who was speaking at Mombasa port on Tuesday during the flagging off of Kenya's inaugural oil shipment, said that the projects will benefit coastal people and create opportunities for economic diversification.
He urged President Kenyatta to consider putting up a petrochemical industry in Changamwe, and to call a meeting of coastal leaders after his Japan visit to discuss economic diversification.
Other governors who attended the meeting included Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Fahim Twaha (Lamu), and Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta), who also expressed their support for the completion of the projects.
Mr Samboja, in particular, wants to hold talks with the President on the sharing of revenue from Tsavo National Park, a call that Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has rejected.
President Kenyatta left for the Tokyo International Conference for African Development summit on Tuesday, and promised to discuss funding of the Dongo Kundu project with Japanese officials.
