The national government has embarked on the plan to fast track the multi-billion Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone.

On Monday, Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said the project which was supposed to be operationalized in 2026 is expected to be opened for investors by July 1.

He said this after holding a closed-door meeting which he chaired with the Mombasa Special Economic Zone Technical Coordination Committee at the Port of Mombasa.

He said  they are targeting to attract investors to Dongo Kundu and establish the demand and in this regard, the committee agreed and made a commitment to some eight key issues that will ensure the project is operationalized this year.

The key issues include the State Department of Investment and Promotion which will advertise for expressions of interest in local and international media to attract investment to key 13 sectors around the special economic zone.

“We are going to use short-term measures as we wait for the long-term bigger project, and we expect Dongo Kundu to be fully operational by July 1, 2023,” said Kuria.

Kuria said the national government is working with other stakeholders including the Mombasa county government to deploy innovation, creativity and team work to cut the projects timeline to three years.

“Major projects which include roads and berths will be completed by 2025 but that will not stop investors from moving in. We expect that by July this year it is going to have more activities, thus cutting short by three years a project that was supposed to start by 2026,” he said.

He said the the government is looking for investors in agro-processing and industries, oil and gasses, petrochemical industries, green energy and renewables, blue economy, water desalination and service provision, and heavy metal and steel.

Other investors include cotton, textile and apparel, pharmaceuticals, automotive manufacturing and assembly, transport and freight logistics services, warehousing cargo bulk-breaking and consolidation services, and business support services.

The CS said the advertisement is supposed to be done by January 31.

Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) has been tasked to ensure that major road projects within the expansive speciacila economic zone are developed to gravel standards to ensure that investors have access to the site.

“Kenha and Kenya Rural Roads Authority will commence design, bidding and opening up of 12 kilometres of the access road to gravel standard awaiting completion of the major road works to asphalt standard and this should be done by March 31,” he said.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is expected to provide port services to Dongo Kundu investors and initiate port services through the Kilindini Port via a road network to Dongo Kundu awaiting completion of the Dongo Kundu berth.

According to the CS, the National Government Administration Officers State Department of Lands, the National Land Commission and Mombasa County Government will work hand in hand in ensuring that a title is available for resettlement, development and investment.

“We will amalgamate the four Dongo Kudu titles, subdivide and title for port development, special economic zone development and the Project Affected Persons, a process which is supposed to be done by March 31,” he said.

 On resettlement and compensation, Kuria said  the government will subdivide 384 acres into parcels of land for the resettlement of 1,684 affected persons.

“We will complete compensation awards and payment of Sh1.4 billion to 1,582 PAPs for development and the compensation process is also expected to be finished by the end of March,” he said.

The Coast Water Works Development Agency was tasked to ensure there is enough water supply to the project.

Kuria said that the agency will commence design, bidding, and drilling of boreholes, construct water pans, storage and ensure water supply to investors awaiting the completion of Tiwi and Mwache dams.

Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir said that his administration will assist on the part of the survey and also the identification of the affected persons and ensure that they assist in the water and sewer plans, seek other political leaders so that the money for compensation is paid to the right people and do it on the stipulated time.

Mombasa regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said that they have agreed on the timeline and as the national administration who are the enabler for the project and they will give it the due plan available.