Kenyans have been urged to support investors and government development projects, even as the country seeks to expand economic opportunities through value addition, job creation and improved infrastructure.

Youth Affairs and Sports Principal Secretary (PS) Elijah Mwangi said supporting investments would help strengthen the economy by creating employment and opening opportunities for local enterprises.

Speaking during a development-oriented tour of Kiriani, Mathioya Constituency, Mwangi referred to the planned Sh2.2 Trillion Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu County, as one of the major investments expected to contribute to the country’s economic transformation.

“Let us support even the investors who are coming to the country. This is a boost to the economy in terms of value addition and job creation,” he said.

The PS said the refinery and other major investments would create opportunities across different sectors of the economy, calling on Kenyans to support efforts aimed at attracting and retaining investors.

The refinery, whose groundbreaking ceremony was held in Lamu on September 30,2026 is planned to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The project is also expected to create about 60,000 jobs and stimulate related industries.

The PS also highlighted various government interventions including infrastructural development projects, construction of modern markets, affordable housing projects and the ongoing agricultural reforms in the county.

For instance, he said farmers were benefiting from subsidised fertilizer, with a 50-kilogramme bag currently retailing at Sh2,000, while investments in solar dryers for coffee factories, road upgrading and tarmacking, modern markets and support for the coffee, dairy and tea value chains were helping strengthen local enterprises.

“Here we have the  Kiriani-Mugeka road already completed, Kamacharia TVET hostels and the Gakoe market, which is under construction , solar dryers for coffee factories and also investments in  the coffee, dairy and tea value chains meant to  strengthen local enterprises, thereby improving productivity and expanding economic opportunities,” he said.

The PS retaliated that  the government remained committed to delivering on its development agenda, noting that its cardinal responsibility was to implement projects based on priorities identified by the people.

“Development and improving the lives of our people is the government’s top priority at this time. We made promises during the last elections and we are still committed to fulfilling them,” he said.

“We must remain firmly behind the Kenya Kwanza government to ensure that we tap more in terms of development,” rallied Mwangi.

Equally the PS said government investment in sports infrastructure and talent identification was positioning Kenya to host major international sporting events.

He said the development of stadiums, sports academies and community grounds would provide young people with opportunities to nurture their talents.

“The 33 stadiums under construction,  37 sports academies and 12 community grounds will really transform the sport architecture in this country,” he said

Mwangi also said preparations for Kenya’s co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament were progressing, with contractors working to complete the required facilities.

“Our contractors are working round the clock to ensure that we are ready to host the games as well as the World athletics championships in 2029,” he said.

by Florence Kinyua