It is a crucial time for Kilifi County. On the emotional and economic impetus of a season that promises to be a record one as far as the influx of tourists is concerned, Governor Gideon Mungaro has launched his plans for the coming years, but above all his philosophy of investment and the revitalisation of the county, from Vipingo to Mambrui, which is not only tourism but also special economic zones, agriculture, export and facilitation for companies and organisations that want to come and invest in the region.

Crucial issue, needless to say because we have been talking about it for decades, is the upgrading and operation of the Malindi International Airport.

This is the spirit with which the first Kilifi County International Investment Conference, which was inaugurated last Wednesday by Kenyan President William Ruto and which at the institutional level was attended by other important members of the country's ruling class, from the president of the Senate and former governor, Amason Kingi, to the former governor of Mombasa and now Minister of the Blue Economy, Hassan Joho, concludes today.

Together, Mung'aro and Ruto presented some projects that in the government's view will be the county's ‘game changers’.

INDUSTRY AND WATER AGREEMENTS

An agreement was formalised to work with the county government to develop an industrial park in Vipingo, a special economic zone along the lines of the one already created in Mombasa, capable of attracting dozens of companies. The partnership will also focus on sustainable initiatives, including projects to reduce carbon emissions in industrial parks.

‘It will be one of 39 special economic zones, created to attract investors, unlock the counties' potential, promote growth and create jobs. There is no doubt that counties are emerging as engines of our socio-economic transformation,’ Ruto said.

Another key partnership is with the Chinese company Zonken Green Energy, which will complete three projects in the county, including the supply of electricity to the Baricho water plant, 39 pumping stations and the Kilifi County Hospital through on-site photovoltaic and energy storage facilities. This is a public & private partnership (PPP), a strategy that Kenyans will soon have to get used to, because it is the only one that can bring benefits and services to the population, beyond the hope of being able to do everything on their own, in a country with such a high risk of corruption and which is not yet professionally able to provide services in step with the times.

Other partnerships concern the technology and maritime sectors.

TOURISM AND SERVICES

Tourism will not lag behind, but as we have written many times, without services one does not move forward and loses competitiveness compared to other destinations.

This is also the line of a young, active and intelligent Italian entrepreneur from Watamu, Daniele Tiritò, owner and general manager of Jacaranda Resort.

‘This conference is a step forward, and a demonstration that there is interest from the institutions to move the county forward, seeing the great potential to attract tourism but also new investments in different fields, such as industry, services, infrastructure and sustainability,’ Tiritò explained.

For the chairlady of the tourism association KAHC (Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers & Caterers) in the county, Maureen Abuga, more PPPs are welcome, but the key step, even through such an agreement, will be to unblock the long-standing issue of the international airport.

In the meantime, the conference and the associated trade fair, worked, attracting not only those who work and have already invested in Kilifi and its environs, but also many entrepreneurs, companies that have an interest in doing so in the future.