Dr. Panuel Mwaeke, the Taita Taveta County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Devolution, Public Service and Administration and Hon. Brayson Mwambi, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) of Sagalla ward paid a visit to the Diaspora University Town (DUT). The Taita Taveta County government members from the executive and legislative were on a tour to find out how the county government arms can fast-track the DUT and Ndara B Community projects.
Dan Kamau, the Diaspora University Town project director, Ronald Mwangombe, the DUT and Ndara B Building Materials director, Raphael Ngao, the head of security and Ndara B Community members and DUT workers at the DUT site welcomed the visitors.
Dr. Mwaeke, a scholar, who was a lecturer at Egerton University and is now serving in the county government wanted to know the timeline, “When the first class of Diaspora University be in school?” Dan Kamau responded, “Based on a planning meeting held on Monday with WPI professors and Diaspora scholars, the current goal is to complete all the requirements in 2024 and students join in January 2025.”
The Diaspora University on opening will enrol 200 students from Taita Taveta County, 10 each from the 20 wards as per the institution town development plan that was approved by the county assembly in accordance with Kenya Constitution 185 (4). The university will also take in students from other parts of Kenya and could reach a 1,000 students intake once the project gets the special economic zone licence.
The team of DUT and Ndara B introduced the other projects they are working on that include: Medical Hospital; Vaccine and Medicine Plant; 14 building materials industries; 14 farming plans and others. Ronald and Raphael talked on how Ndara B Community members are planning the usage of their 4,000 acres of land productively. Dr. Mwaeke was happy to hear this and said as part of the Executive government he would do whatever is required of him so DUT and Ndara B plans progress successfully.
Hon Mwambi, who has held several discussions with Ndara B Community, said he is ready to introduce the bills proposed by the Community in the County Assembly. The bills will facilitate jobs creation and development in Taita Taveta County.
Dan said that the passing of bills will attract Diaspora investments both from Diaspora Kenyans and foreign investors. He said, “The Diaspora Kenyans have started the $500 million initiative to have 2.5% of the projected $20 billion Diaspora remittances in the next 5 years flow into Taita Taveta County. The passed Bills will enable this to be achieved.”
Dr. Mwaeke and Hon Mwambi welcomed the Diaspora Kenyans investment plan and said they will play their role to ensure the county gets more investment resources. They thanked the Sagalla Community for bringing the project to Taita Taveta and initiating other projects.
Led by Lucy Malemba, of the Ndara B Community land management committee who is planning the supply of water, the community members present and DUT workers thanked their County government representatives for embracing development.
In 2010 Kenya devolved to 47 counties. Through Kenya constitution 184, the urban areas and cities act of 2011 was passed to establish the devolution to towns and cities. Diaspora University Town 1,500 acres university town plan and Ndara B 4,000 acres industrialisation and farming plan is progressing to become a new town established on 5,500 acres.
