By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The government is set to commence the compensation process for 1,648 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) to pave the way for the implementation of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zones Project.
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Hon. Salim Mvurya in the company of Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan held a meeting in Nairobi with the implementers Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) confirming that the list of PAPs has successfully been verified by KPA.
CS Mvurya said that 400 acres of land has been allocated for the resettlement of the affected persons, ensuring that their livelihoods are safeguarded.
“The Government of Kenya is set to begin the allocation of Kshs 1.4 billion to compensate 1,648 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) under the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mombasa and Kwale Counties,” CS Mvurya said on X.
“Additionally, 400 acres of land have been allocated for the resettlement of the affected persons. Already 97 investors have expressed interest, 60% of whom are local, 40% are international investors,” he added.
Kenya Ports Authority announced that plans are also underway to gazette the Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Corridor Development Authority (LAPSSET) SEZ.
KPA added that investors in the Desalination, Fish Processing, and pharmaceutical sectors have expressed interest as the government aims to accelerate investment in the region through the Port of Lamu.
Kenya Ports Authority’s plans for the construction of the first multipurpose berth to serve the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zones are at an advanced stage. The first Berth will be 300m long with a depth of minus 15 metres.
According to Kenya Ports Authority, The SEZ is being developed on 3000-acre land and will comprise a free port, industrial parks, free trade zones, logistics and warehousing, energy project areas, tourism, and MICE among other developments.