Government Advances Infrastructure and Blue Economy Agenda as State Department for Roads Leads Strategic Partnerships at EPC 2026
Mombasa, Kenya – April 2026: The Government is accelerating the delivery of Kenya’s infrastructure and Blue Economy agenda, with a strong focus on engineering excellence, strategic partnerships and sustainable development.
The State Department for Roads continues to play a central role in driving this agenda, positioning infrastructure as a key enabler of economic growth, regional connectivity and national competitiveness.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Roads, Eng. Joseph Mbugua, yesterday presided over the opening of the 7th Engineering Partnerships Convention (EPC) 2026, held under the theme “Blueprint for Prosperity: Engineering a Sustainable Blue Economy.”
The Convention brought together stakeholders from government, industry, academia and development partners to explore practical engineering solutions for unlocking the full potential of the Blue Economy.
In his address, the Principal Secretary emphasized that Kenya’s strategic position as an Indian Ocean nation, with a 600-kilometre coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone of over 230,000 square kilometres, presents significant opportunities for growth, job creation and investment.
He noted that the Blue Economy currently contributes approximately 2.5 percent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product and supports close to two million livelihoods, underscoring its growing importance as a pillar of inclusive development.
“The Blue Economy is not a peripheral sector. It is a practical frontier for Kenya’s next phase of growth, and its success will depend on the strength of our infrastructure systems and engineering capacity,” he stated.
The Principal Secretary highlighted the need for deliberate investments in resilient ports, efficient road networks, modern logistics systems, fisheries infrastructure, cold-chain facilities and digital platforms to support value creation across the sector.
He further underscored the importance of integrated infrastructure development, noting that roads, ports, logistics hubs, industrial zones and regional corridors must be planned and implemented as interconnected systems to maximize efficiency and competitiveness.
Key infrastructure initiatives such as the Dongo Kundu Bypass, the Mombasa–Mariakani dual carriageway and the LAPSSET Corridor were cited as transformative projects that are enhancing connectivity and unlocking economic opportunities within the Blue Economy framework.
Discussions at the Convention also focused on strengthening local technical capacity through skills development, research and innovation, as well as expanding opportunities for engineers through training, internships and industry collaboration.
Participants emphasized the importance of fostering strong partnerships between government, the private sector, investors and development partners to mobilize resources and accelerate project delivery, while upholding high standards of engineering and environmental stewardship.
The forum reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to implementing the National Blue Economy Strategy and to developing efficient, climate-resilient infrastructure systems that support trade, create jobs and drive inclusive national development.
The Principal Secretary called on engineers and stakeholders to embrace their role as nation-builders by delivering practical, cost-effective and durable infrastructure solutions that serve both present and future generations.
“Kenya has the location, the market and the momentum. Our collective task is to translate this potential into measurable outcomes through disciplined planning, strong partnerships and engineering excellence,” he affirmed.
Also in attendance were Principal Secretaries Eng. Dr. Festus Ngeno (Environment and Climate Change), Eng. Aden Abdi Millah (Shipping and Maritime Affairs), and Dr. Esther Muoria (Technical and Vocational Education and Training – TVET), alongside senior officials from key government agencies.
The Convention is expected to generate actionable outcomes that will guide the continued development of Kenya’s Blue Economy and infrastructure sectors, reinforcing the country’s position as a regional transport and logistics hub.