After a 14-year pause marred by corruption allegations and funding setbacks, construction of the Sh8.5 billion Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Vipingo is nearing completion. The new college, set on 59 acres near the Indian Ocean, is envisioned as a premier institution for hospitality education, aligning with Kenya’s Vision 2030 development goals.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Rebecca Miano, recently toured the site and announced that the college is now 83% complete. She highlighted the institution’s potential to boost the Blue Economy and Cruise Tourism sectors by providing specialized training to build skills and capacity in hospitality.
“We aim to open the college by the end of the first quarter of next year, with the first cohort of students starting in April 2025,” said CS Miano, noting that the college will eventually accommodate up to 3,000 students per cohort. “This institution will fulfill both regional and international demand for skilled professionals in hospitality.”
Joined by members of the Tourism Fund board, the CS reviewed plans for the college’s operationalization and commended the board’s efforts to maintain the project timeline. The college is designed to include training halls, modern kitchens, hostels, demonstration centers, and staff quarters, all now in the final stages of preparation.
Acknowledging past challenges, CS Miano explained that resource limitations had hindered the project’s progress. However, with renewed planning from the board, the project is moving toward completion, and applications for enrollment are expected to open soon.
The second phase of development will introduce a seven-star hotel on 18 acres adjacent to the college, serving as both a training facility and a laboratory for students. The Tourism Fund board is exploring partnerships and funding models for the hotel to ensure it meets world-class standards and enhances the college’s offerings.
Once fully operational, Ronald Ngala Utalii College is expected to place Kenya at the forefront of hospitality training in the region, offering students cutting-edge facilities and hands-on experience in the field.
