Lamu Port

Today I've got a good news from Qatar to the people of Lamu.

kenyan presidential press service reported that Kenya and Qatar have opened negotiations on the construction of a port in Lamu, Coast Province.

The port is estimated to cost 3.5 billion US dollars.

President Kibaki held a successful round of talks with the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalif Al Thani, where he presented the strong proposal.

The Emir assured President Kibaki that his Government was keen on the Lamu project as it seeks to diversify its international investment portfolio.

The State of Qatar and Kenya will also open negotiations that will lead to construction of the Garsen-Lamu Road.

Kenya has also offered Qatar a partnership in sovereign bond through which Kenya hopes to raise billions of shillings for infrastructure development.

President Kibaki thanked the Emir for the warm welcome that Kenyans have received in his State that currently hosts close to 2,000 Kenyans.

President Kibaki also invited the Emir to visit Kenya.
Present were ministers: Moses Wetang’ula (Foreign), John Michuki (Environment), Chirau Ali Makwere (Transport), Wycliffe Oparanya (Planning) and the Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Mr Thuita Mwangi, among other senior Government officials.

Meanwhile, the President has said Kenya plans to open a Kenyan Embassy in Doha, Qatar.

Saying that the number of Kenyans living and working in Qatar has increased substantially, the President underscored the urgent need for an embassy in order to facilitate access to consular services.

Addressing Kenyans residing in Doha, Qatar, Sunday evening at the end of his three day official visit to the country, President Kibaki said that his Government appreciates the significant contribution Kenyans working in Qatar are making towards Kenya’s development through remittances which amount to over 720 million Kenya Shillings per year.

He said his Government has put into place sound policies to create an enabling environment for Kenyans in Diaspora to participate fully and contribute to the development of their motherland.

“Kenyans in the Diaspora have an important role to play in building our country. Through your vast experiences gained in the course of your travel and work in the countries you are residing in, and through your expertise and resources, you are well placed to make a significant impact in the development of our country.”

On tourism, President Kibaki said his Government is pursuing aggressive measures to woo foreigners to visit Kenya, saying tourism is one of the key sectors that will contribute to the realisation of Kenya’s Vision 2030.

Addressing Kenyans, Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula urged Kenyans in Diaspora to be ambassadors of goodwill saying they had a moral duty to play in safeguarding the image and interests of the country abroad.

following the above statements from kenya and Qatar leaders now is obvious that lamu will grow to be a business hub, people will not only focus on tourism and fishing as there only source of income will also venture in to import and export.

The Lamu port will not only benefit Lamu people alone but all kenyans like the port of Mombasa benefits the whole country and even other countries of central Africa.