Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development Dr. Caroline Karugu Kiragu has intensified efforts to fast-track the completion of Coast Development Authority (CDA) projects in Kilifi County.
The PS said major health and road infrastructure works under the Malindi Integrated Social and Health Development Programme Phase II (MISHDP II), including the Mjanaheri–Ngomeni Road launched by President William Ruto in May this year, remain a priority for government implementation.
She said the government is committed to ensuring that public investments are completed within stipulated timelines to enhance service delivery and improve livelihoods.
Speaking during the Seventh National Programme Steering Committee meeting for MISHDP II, Karugu noted that while significant progress had been made, focus must now shift to completing the remaining works through enhanced coordination among implementing agencies, development partners and government institutions.
“While we celebrate these achievements, we must remain focused on addressing the outstanding challenges that could affect the timely implementation and completion of the programme,” she said.
The programme is jointly funded by the Governments of Kenya and Italy and has become one of the flagship development initiatives in the Coast region, supporting investments in healthcare, education, transport infrastructure and social development.
The projects are being implemented by the Coast Development Authority (CDA), whose Acting Managing Director Mwanasiti Bendera said the programme has entered its final implementation phase, with only two major components remaining before completion next year.
Bendera said the Sh594 million Mjanaheri–Ngomeni Road project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by December 2026.
“The programme is now in its final phase. As we enter the new financial year, our focus is on completing the ongoing road project and operationalising the new intensive care facilities at Malindi Sub-County Hospital,” she said.
She added that CDA will also equip the newly constructed 80-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU) block at Malindi Sub-County Hospital, which will include four ICU beds expected to be fully operational in the next phase of implementation.
According to updates from the Coast Development Authority, most of the programme’s education, health and institutional development projects have already been completed and handed over to beneficiaries.
These include construction and equipping of classrooms in schools across Malindi and Magarini sub-counties, renovation of health facilities, and capacity-building programmes targeting teachers, parents, students and local communities.
With only the Mjanaheri–Ngomeni Road and the operationalisation of the ICU and HDU at Malindi Sub-County Hospital remaining, officials expressed confidence that the programme’s completion will significantly improve access to healthcare and transport infrastructure in Kilifi County.
By Jackson Msanzu
