Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has officially opened the Ronald Ngala Campus of Kenya Utalii College in Vipingo, Kilifi County, marking a major milestone in the government’s efforts to decentralise high-level hospitality and tourism training.

The campus has admitted its pioneer cohort after years of planning and structural delays, bringing advanced hospitality training closer to young people along the Kenyan Coast.

The new institution will offer specialised programmes in culinary arts, hospitality management, maritime tourism and coastal eco-tourism, with the broader goal of strengthening Kenya’s position as a leading tourism and hospitality hub in Africa.

Miano described the opening as the culmination of a long-held vision to expand elite hospitality training beyond Nairobi and equip Kenya’s youth with skills relevant to the rapidly evolving tourism industry.

She credited strong collaboration between national and county governments, local communities, development agencies, contractors and the Kenya Utalii College fraternity for making the project a reality.

The CS expressed appreciation to President William Ruto for his leadership and support, as well as the Kilifi County Government, Tourism Fund and local community leadership for their contribution towards the development of the facility.

The campus is expected to play a key role in developing a highly skilled workforce capable of serving Kenya’s growing hospitality and tourism sector while taking advantage of the Coast region’s rich cultural, marine and ecological resources.

Miano challenged the pioneer students to uphold the values associated with the institution’s name and set high standards in professionalism, innovation and service excellence.

She urged them to view their admission not only as an opportunity for personal advancement but also as a responsibility to contribute to Kenya’s tourism industry and compete effectively on the continental and global stage.

The opening of the Ronald Ngala Campus adds to Kenya’s efforts to diversify tourism training and create opportunities for young people in regions with significant tourism potential.

The facility is also expected to strengthen the link between education, skills development and the tourism economy at the Coast, particularly in areas such as culinary tourism, marine experiences and sustainable coastal tourism.

The pioneer cohort now begins its training at a campus envisioned to become a centre of excellence for hospitality and tourism education in Kenya and beyond.