Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi is finally ready to start admitting students after a 10-year wait.The college, which focuses on tourism-related courses like catering, hotel management, and seafaring, is 95% complete and set to welcome its first 1,000 students on September 1.

Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok confirmed that preparations are advanced, with facilities including a tourist-class hotel for practical training.

The college aims to address Kenya's shortage of certified seafarers and boost tourism targets, including the goal of five million tourists by 2028.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro highlighted the skills gap in the maritime sector, noting how lack of certification has hindered job opportunities.The college is expected to create over 1,000 jobs and expand to 4,000 students as it grows.Both Bitok and Mung'aro urged caution in public statements about tourism, warning that careless remarks could derail progress.The project, modeled after Nairobi's Utalii College, is part of Kenya's broader strategy to strengthen its tourism and hospitality sectors.