The government has issues an update on the levels of completion of different development projects across the country.

This follows a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, chaired by President William Ruto.

Among the updates include the construction of the Bomas International Convention Complex, which Ruto said will begin in two weeks, marking a major milestone in the government’s plan to transform the facility into a world-class conferencing hub. The project aims to redefine the look, feel, and purpose of Bomas, positioning it as a premier destination for global events.

The cabinet was also briefed on the progress of the Talanta Hela Stadium at Jamhuri Park, Nairobi, which is now 40 per cent complete. Once finished, the 60,000-seater stadium will be Kenya’s largest, with the government aiming to complete it by the end of this year.

The cabinet has also directed the finalisation of the construction framework and the groundbreaking of the 170km four-lane Rironi-Mau Summit Road by June 1, 2025. The project will upgrade the road from a two-way single-carriageway to a four-lane dual-carriageway, significantly improving traffic flow.

“This road development is expected to ease transport and travel from Nairobi through Nakuru to Western Kenya, a route that has long suffered from serious traffic congestion on weekends and during national holidays,” the cabinet stated.

“The project, which is set for completion within 24 months, with a target date of June 2027, is part of Kenya’s broader infrastructure transformation aimed at enhancing connectivity across the country and the region, while driving economic growth.”

Tourism

The cabinet says that in 2024, international arrivals increased by 14.6 per cent to 2.4 million, generating Ksh452.2 billion in revenue.

“With three million tourists expected to visit Kenya in 2025, the government will focus on sustainable tourism, enhanced marketing strategies, and investment in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities, as well as cruise tourism infrastructure and positive destination profiling,” the statement from cabinet revealed.

Among the key initiatives sanctioned by the cabinet include promoting eco-friendly tourism practices, expanding community-based tourism, and targeting key markets such as the United States and China.

Cabinet further states that bed-night occupancy rose by 12 per cent in 2024 even as domestic tourism continues to thrive.

The Cabinet has also approved a nationwide asbestos removal initiative from all public and private facilities to mitigate health risks associated with asbestos exposure.

Asbestos, extensively used in Kenya’s construction industry in the 1960s and 1970s, remains in government buildings, hospitals, schools, and even water supply systems. Classified as a human carcinogen, asbestos exposure is linked to severe health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma (a cancer that develops in the tissue lining of the lungs, abdomen and heart).

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) will oversee the safe removal, disposal, and handling of asbestos.

County governments were urged to establish designated disposal sites.

“Under the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle, property owners will bear the cost of removal. The government anticipates that this initiative will reduce future disease burden, cut healthcare costs, and enhance environmental safety,” Cabinet added.

The Cabinet has also endorsed the Internship and Volunteer Policy and Guidelines for the Public Service, providing a standardised framework to streamline the recruitment, engagement, and management of interns and volunteers across government institutions.

“The policy addresses inconsistencies in existing fragmented programmes, ensuring fair terms of engagement while creating structured pathways for youth employment. With thousands of graduates entering the job market annually, the framework aims to bridge the education-to-employment gap by equipping young professionals with hands-on skills essential for career progression,” cabinet added.

“It also formalises volunteerism in public service, recognising its critical role in disaster response, national development, and community service. It covers degree, diploma, and professional certificate holders, ensuring equitable opportunities while meeting professional licensing requirements in fields such as medicine and law.”