The long-awaited Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone project to commence immediately

By Tobby Otum

The government has set aside Sh 1.4 billion as a compensation package for those who will be affected by the construction of the long-awaited Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone in Mombasa county.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria announced the project is expected to be operational by July this year with short-term measures being put in place.

“These are other projects in the facility while waiting for the bigger project which will continue up to 2025,” he pointed out.

Kuria refuted claims that this will deter investors from moving in to invest.

He was speaking during the appending of his signature with Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassiir on an arrangement on the famous Mombasa Special Economic Zone known as Dongo Kundu project outside Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] headquarters in Mombasa county.

The CS said the month of July will see a beehive of activity after the government cut short the stipulated time for the project by three years.

Kuria, who was accompanied by high-profile officers from different government ministries and newly promoted coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, told journalists the project was initially scheduled to commence in 2026 according to the original design.

He insisted the investors were initially supposed to move in in 2026 but the government, through creativity, innovation, teamwork, and the involvement of partners, managed to cut down the projected time by three years.

“The first investors are expected to move in at the project site and start operating,” he pointed out.

On his part as landlord of the project, Abdulswamad told journalists he applauds the project saying these are things they have been yearning for.

He emphasized that a roundtable is important before such a flagship project to end mistrust and suspicion among themselves.

“As the county government we are going to assist on the part of the survey and water and sewerage level of the project,” he added.

Newly promoted coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, on her part, told journalists they have agreed on a time framework as the local provincial administration.