President Uhuru Kenyatta launches Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Likoni, Mombasa ahead of Mashujaa Day celebrations

A day after Deputy President William Ruto and Malindi MPhumiliating defeat at the hands of ODM in the Ganda by-election, President Uhuru Kenyatta toured the coast region and launched the Construction of Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Likoni.

The head of state presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment which is designed to be a multi-sectoral zone comprising of Industrial Parks, Free Trade Zones/Free Port, Dongo Kundu Port, Tourism Zone (MICE), Business Service Parks; and Commercial and Residential Zone.

The SEZ will be developed in three phases with the first phase expected to be ready by 2023 and is projected to inject into the Kenyan economy Shs 400 billion in local and foreign direct investments and create more than 100,000 jobs.

Speaking at the Ceremony, the President said that Dongo Kundu SEZ would herald a milestone transformation in the coastal region and would further promote the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” philosophy.

Uhuru visits coast, launches mega project after DP Ruto’s team lost to ODM Pulse Live Kenya

He said the establishment of special economic zones would see Kenya become self-sufficient in industrial goods that currently consume most of the country’s foreign exchange.

"For a long time the country has depended on imported goods hence developing other parts of the world," President Kenyatta said.

The President cautioned leaders against divisive politics saying the biggest concern for Kenyans was the creation of jobs and service delivery.

The Head of State challenged local manufacturers and traders to leverage on the improving business environment in the country to maximize production of goods especially for export markets so as to create jobs.

The President said his administration had fashioned a rich mix of policies and infrastructure to encourage investors to set up businesses in the SEZs including tax incentives for all licensed Special Economic Zones entities.

The Head of State assured the affected persons that the resettlement would be carried out in a humane manner and that all people affected by the exercise would be catered for.

The President who was accompanied by a host of Coast leaders led by Governors Ali Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Salim Mvurya (Kwale) also launched the construction of the second phase of the Dongo Kundu Bypass that will connect the South Coast to the island.

The second phase of the Dongo Kundu Bypass will include the construction of the Mteza-Kibundani section, Miritini-Mwache-Kipevu road and Moi International Airport Access Road; and Mwache Junction-Tsunza-Mteza section.

The first phase of the now iconic Dongo Kundu Bypass has already transformed Mombasa and eased transport to and from the coastal city.

Governors Joho and Mvurya lauded the President for the various major development projects being implemented at the Coast and pledged their continued firm support for the National Government's development agenda.