Dongo Kundu Bridge completed, sparking hope of tourism revival

The construction of the famous Dongo Kundu Bridge, connecting Mombasa County and Kwale, has been completed, sparking hope for a revival in the tourism, business, and transportation sectors.

The bridge, funded by Kenya and Japanese governments with a budget of Sh24 billion, awaits minor repairs before opening for use. Construction commenced in 2020 and involved three bridges: Mwache (660 meters), Tsunza (690), and Mteza (1440). Although not yet open to the public, ongoing repairs are underway in other sections.

However, financial challenges, including a contractor debt of Sh1.4 billion, may impede the completion of the remaining parts. Last year, President William Ruto called for a thorough audit of Dongo Kundu's compensation beneficiaries. He directed the National Land Commission (NLC) and Kenya Port Authority (KPA) to promptly address and finalize compensation for Mombasa Special Economic Zone-Dongo Kundu, ensuring rightful recipients receive their payments.

President Ruto emphasized the need for a revised list, citing discrepancies in the initial one, particularly regarding non-local claims, which had hindered the project for two decades. An October report chaired by Joash Nyamoko revealed that in 2020, NLC documented 1,759 beneficiaries, with 1,356 verified for compensation and 403 pending verification.

The disbursement of Sh1.4 billion was set to settle 1,759 project-affected persons across six villages, with a directive to resolve discrepancies and submit an accurate list for compensation. President Ruto cautioned against any illicit activities related to Dongo Kundu compensation.