Relief for Mombasa residents as State resolves Dongo Kundu land compensation standoff

Residents will at last receive their compensation as the state resolves the Dongo Kundu land compensation standoff, clearing the path for investments.

The State Department for Investment Promotion is intensifying its initiatives to make the 3000-acre Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone in Mombasa fully operational.

According to the Principal Secretary (PS) for Investment, Abubakar Hassan, they have effectively addressed the land compensation dispute with the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) during a multi-agency meeting aimed at assessing the SEZ's readiness to welcome investors.

On Friday, a meeting took place at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in Mombasa, assembling Managing Directors from KPA, the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA), the National Land Commission (NLC), and officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In October of last year, President William Ruto suspended the Sh1.4 billion compensation for the list of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) to undergo an audit. The purpose was to remove non-residents from the list of 1759 beneficiaries, ensuring that genuine residents were not unfairly affected.

PS Abubakar Hassan during a meeting with Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto and Mombasa County Commissioner Mahmoud Noor on the Dongo Kundu land compensation. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

The process was tainted by controversies and accusations of corruption, leaving many residents at risk of being denied their rightful compensation due to collusion between unscrupulous officials and land grabbers.

Evaluation process

PS Abubakar announced that following an evaluation, the project is prepared to commence, ensuring all verified PAPs receive compensation and resettlement. Already, one investor has established a presence at the SEZ, with three more welcomed aboard.

"Regarding the PAPs issue, there has been a minor delay, but all previous concerns have been resolved. Within the next two months, we anticipate the PAPs issue will be fully resolved,” stated the PS.

He urged investors to take advantage of the situation and apply for slots in the SEZ.

PS Abubakar emphasised that the Head of State had issued a directive for the swift operationalisation of the Dongo Kundu SEZ to enable investors to access economic benefits for the people of Kenya.

The multi-billion Dongo Kundu bypass project is nearing completion, with the progress at 90 per cent. This dual carriageway will serve a crucial role in the SEZ, facilitating the transportation of products to industries.

A section of the Dongo Kundu Bypass in Mombasa County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

The bypass will link three primary transport routes: the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, the Mombasa-Malindi highway, and the Mombasa-Lunga Lunga highway.

"The completion of the Dongo Kundu bypass is expected by May, facilitating connections to the hinterland. Additionally, construction of access roads to the port of Mombasa will commence in July," he said.

The Dongo Kundu SEZ is being developed on 3,000-acre land and will comprise a free port, industrial parks, free trade zones, logistics and warehousing, energy project areas, tourism, and MICE among other developments.

Dongo Kundu SEZ will have a power incentive of Sh10 for peak hours and off-peak Sh7.5 akin to the Naivasha SEZ.

According to the Managing Director of KPA, Captain William Ruto, they have received many applications from investors eager to establish businesses at the SEZ, and he encourages more investors to join.

"The government's directive is for the zone to be operational. While we are slightly behind, we have addressed all issues hindering progress," Captain Ruto stated.