Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, has announced that Sh1.4 billion has been set aside to hasten the Dongo-Kundu Special Economic Zone Compensation Process for persons affected by the project to ensure the land is available for investment opportunities promptly.
Speaking during his progress update meeting for implementing agencies of Mombasa Special Economic Zone (Dongo-Kundu) at the Headquarters of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Mvurya said that KPA as an implementing agency has already been funded Sh1.4 billion to conclude the compensation programme by next month.
Kwale and Mombasa County leaders, Different Government Agencies, Principal Secretary for Investment Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Chair and MD of KPA were in attendance.
He added that the process will take place in two fronts; 1648 project affected persons will be allocated land and support to develop their new areas.
The CS said that the new land where compensation will happen is 430 acres and that KPA will provide the leadership to make sure that the process is run smoothly while also dealing with the people’s grievances.
“One of the most important things is the development of the horizontal infrastructure; roads, water and also power stations,” he noted.
He added that the partnership with Japan Government will have the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) fund Sh58 billion in the setting up of the infrastructure including piping water all the way from Tiwi to the Special Economic Zone.
“Right now we have received 97 applications from investors who want to be licensed to set up camp in the Special Economic Zone. So far 3 investors want to set up this week as their process is being finalized,” Mvurya said.
He noted that 60 of the received investment applications are local and the rest are from international investors.
Addressing the classification of investors, he noted that there are diverse interests, with some aiming to invest in automobile assembly, pharmaceutical sectors, while others are focused on opportunities in the Blue Economy. Additionally, there are those who seek collaboration with the Port to enhance its operations and capabilities.
He added that they have also agreed that throughout the implementation of the Special Economic Zone, a set of new skills is needed.
On this he highlighted that a budget has been set aside for vocational training so that the youth can be trained on the basic skills and also work with local universities when focusing on the key competencies that are required in the Special Economic Zone.
Mombasa County Senator, Mwinyi haji Faki, speaking on behalf of the coastal leaders in attendance said that the vocational training will be of great impact to the Coastal youth as he also called for transparency in the committees that have been established to address disputes among the local residents on matters currently under review.
By Fatma Said and Nuru Soud
