Former prime minister Raila Odinga this morning, upon invitation by President Uhuru Kenyatta, attended a meeting with the country’s top Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) generals in Mombasa before the unveiling of the Kenya Shipyards Limited in Mombasa.
Odinga, who was accompanied by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir at the meeting is currently on a vacation at the Coast after a whirlwind of political activities.
This is the first modern shipyard at Mtongwe Kenya Navy Base within the port of Mombasa. At least 70 percent of the new facility will be owned by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and will be operated by the Kenya Shipyard Limited (KSL).
Read: President Uhuru to determine Odinga’s running mate
The facility is expected to save Sh68 billion, an estimated maintenance fee Kenya pays every 10 years for its naval fleets. Kenya has 17 military ships.
Kenya will save Sh6.8 billion every year in servicing its marine hardware, according to marine experts who said a ship has a life span of 10-15 years before a full makeover.
The modern shipyard has two ship building hangers, one of 150 meters long and 30 meters high and a smaller one of 120 meters long, 20 meters high, and 13 meters wide.
