The government has set aside Kes 1.4 billion to hasten the Dongo-Kundu Special Economic Zone Compensation Process for persons affected by the project, ensuring the land is promptly available for investment opportunities.

Speaking in Mombasa, Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has already been funded with Kes1.4 billion to conclude the compensation program by next month.

He spoke during his progress update meeting for implementing agencies of Mombasa Special Economic Zone (Dongo-Kundu) at the KPA headquarters where Kwale and Mombasa County leaders, different Government Agencies, Principal Secretary for Investment Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Chair and MD of KPA were in attendance.

Further, he said that the process will take place on two fronts: 1648 project-affected persons will be allocated land and support to develop their new areas.

He also said that the new land where compensation will happen is 430 acres, and KPA will provide the leadership to ensure that the process runs 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.”

Moreover, he highlighted that the partnership with the Japanese government will see the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) fund Kes 58 billion to establish the infrastructure, including piping water 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.”

He noted that 60 of the investment applications received were local, and the rest were from international investors.