The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has directed the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to hasten the compensation and resettlement of people affected by the Mombasa Special Economic Zone (Dongo Kundu) project.
Mvurya who on Monday, September 2, 2024, chaired a consultative multisectoral meeting with the local leadership of Mombasa and Kwale Counties on the status of the project, said the 1,648 project-affected persons (PAPs) should be compensated and resettled by the end of this month.
The former Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CS stated that KPA should carry out the process as the implementing agency.
“I have today chaired a consultative multisectoral meeting with the local leadership of Mombasa and Kwale Counties on the significant milestones undertaken towards the development of the Mombasa Special Economic Zone (Dongo Kundu) project. I have directed the Kenya Ports Authority, as the implementing agency, to hasten the compensation and resettlement of 1,648 project-affected persons by the end of September,” Mvurya stated.
I have today chaired a consultative multisectoral meeting with the local leadership of Mombasa and Kwale Counties on the significant milistones undertaken towards the development of the Mombasa Special Economic Zone (Dongo Kundu) project. 1/3@MITIKenya @PSAhassan… pic.twitter.com/7xgbWI9YlO
— H.E Salim_Mvurya (@Waziri_Mvurya) September 2, 2024
Mvurya in the statement shared via his official X account on September 2, 2024, further stated that the meeting had agreed to continue holding forums aimed at issuing updates on the progress of the project.
“We have agreed to continuously hold engaging forums to update the leadership on the key steps being undertaken by KPA and SEZA as the development of the Mombasa – SEZ takes shape,” he wrote on X.
I have directed the Kenya Ports Authority, as the implementing agency, to hasten the compensation and resettlement of 1,648 project affected persons by end of September.
— H.E Salim_Mvurya (@Waziri_Mvurya) September 2, 2024
We have agreed to continuously hold engaging forums to update the leadership on the key steps being… pic.twitter.com/00Ge6zqDCc
Mvurya on addressing unemployment
Moreover, Mvurya says he has directed the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Investment Promotion Abubakar Hassan Abubakar to constitute a technical team to address the skill gaps among the youth, which will help address employment concerns.
“To address employment concerns by the leaders, I have directed the PS for Investment Promotion Abubakar Hassan Abubakar to constitute a technical team to address the skill gaps among the youth. The technical team will identify the accademia, local institutions of higher learning to provide targeted training that aligns with the needs of the investors,” Mvurya stated.
To address employment concerns by the leaders, I have directed the PS for Investment Promotion @PSAhassan to constitute a technical team to address the skill gaps among the youth. The technical team will identify the accademia, local institutions of higher learning to provide… pic.twitter.com/WQFTRJ8u3b
— H.E Salim_Mvurya (@Waziri_Mvurya) September 2, 2024
Dongo Kundu
Dongo Kundu SEZ is suited for a variety of industries, and its planning has zoned areas for industrial activity, enterprise and trade, tourism, and port services.
A total of 97 investors have so far expressed interest in setting up operations within the 3,000-acre SEZ.
Of those, 60 per cent are residents while 40 per cent are international investors.
Key sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, and glass manufacturing are among the industries expected to establish premises in the zone.
