Construction of the regional maritime and shipping logistics training center in Waa, Kwale County, is now 75% complete, with the project costing Sh1 billion. Funded by the World Bank, the center will accommodate over 1,500 students from Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, according to Acha Arina, the deputy coordinator for the Eastern Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP) and deputy director of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Arina explained that the center will provide courses in marine engineering, marine transport, and port logistics. “The World Bank Group, in collaboration with the governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, has developed this initiative,” he said.
The Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP), a key institution specializing in blue economy and marine courses, will play a central role in the project. Arina noted that the initiative aims to enhance access to TVET programs at flagship institutions, improve their quality and relevance, and promote regional integration in East Africa.
The total project budget of Sh1.08 billion includes both construction and equipment costs, with Sh600 million allocated for the building itself and the remainder for equipment. KCNP Principal Mary Muthoka highlighted the institution’s pivotal role in marine transport and port logistics training, emphasizing the center’s regional impact, as it will serve students from Kenya and the broader East African region, including Ethiopia. – Standard Media
