President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday inaugurated the 1.2 kilometer Liwatoni Pedestrian Floating Bridge in Mombasa County.

The bridge which is the first of its kind in the region will ease traffic across the Kilindini channel by taking foot pedestrians from Liwatoni to Ras Bofu and back.

Once complete, the Sh1.9 billion footbridge will free up the ferry crossing, which has been in service since 1937 to cater for vehicular and cargo traffic without disrupting shipping services.

Speaking to area residents, the Head of State said the government investment in infrastructure at the Coast and across the country will open up the economy and create jobs for the youth.

“We want to ease the life of our people by easing movement. The bridge will be complete and ready for use by the end of the festive seasons… all these projects will open up businesses and create employment” said Uhuru.

At Likoni, the President was accompanied by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia and other leaders

Also at Mombasa, the President commissioned the construction of the Sh4.5 billion Makupa Bridge.

When completed, the four-lane over-sea bridge will replace the 1929 Makupa Causeway, paving the way for its demolition and restoration of the ecosystem in the area including free flow of water and marine life.

Additional reporting by PSCU