By Aoma Keziah,
The government has set a September deadline for the completion of compensation and resettlement processes to expedite the development of the Mombasa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Dongo Kundu. This was announced by Trade Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya during a high-level consultative meeting held at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) headquarters in Mombasa.
Authority, alongside other key stakeholders involved in the project.
The meeting, chaired by CS Mvurya, brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Trade, the Kenya Ports Authority, the National Land Commission, and representatives from the affected communities. The primary focus of the discussions was the progress of the Dongo Kundu SEZ project, a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at transforming Mombasa into a regional trade and investment hub.
“We decided to have a meeting to take them through the key milestones but also how to unlock the potential of the SEZ.” Noted Mvurya.
During the deliberations,Mvurya directed the Kenya Ports Authority, as the implementing agency, to expedite the resettlement and compensation of 1,648 project-affected persons (PAPs) by the end of September this year.
“The Authority will also be dealing away with grievances that PAPs might have raised. Once concluded, then the land will be ready for development.” He said
CS Mvurya emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that the compensation and resettlement of affected landowners are completed by the end of September 2024. He noted that the timely resolution of these issues is crucial for the seamless progression of the SEZ project, which is expected to attract significant foreign investment and create thousands of jobs in the region.
“The Dongo Kundu SEZ is a flagship project that will play a pivotal role in boosting our country’s economic growth. We are working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the compensation and resettlement processes are handled fairly and efficiently, allowing us to proceed with the development as planned,” said CS Mvurya.
To date, 97 investors have expressed interest in establishing their operations in the Special Economic Zone, with 60% of them being local and 40%foreign. CS Mvurya emphasized the importance of holding regular consultative meetings with local leaders to address any emerging issues throughout the implementation process.
“We have noted an information gap between the project stakeholders involved in the process and the grassroots leadership, however, that will have to change. ” He asserted.
In response to some concerns raised, he instructed the Principal Secretary for Investment and Promotion, Mr. Abubakar Hassan, to form a dedicated technical team focused on critical issues, such as addressing the skills gap among local youth.
“The team will work closely with the academia, local institutions of higher learning to provide targeted training that aligns with the needs of the investors setting up premises in the area.” Mvurya remarked
The Dongo Kundu SEZ, located strategically near the Port of Mombasa, is envisioned to be a key driver of industrialization and economic diversification in the region. Once operational, the SEZ will host a variety of industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and agro-processing, positioning Kenya as a competitive player in the global market.
The government’s focus on the timely completion of the Dongo Kundu SEZ underscores its dedication to creating an enabling environment for investment and economic growth.
With the September deadline set, all eyes will be on the ongoing efforts to finalize the compensation and resettlement processes, paving the way for the full-scale development of one of Kenya’s most ambitious economic projects.
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