Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has emphasized the Kenya Kwanza administration’s determination to expedite the operationalization of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mombasa, marking a significant step toward the country’s economic transformation. Kindiki’s remarks came during an inter-ministerial meeting held on Thursday at his Karen residence in Nairobi, where he outlined the importance of SEZs as key drivers of industrialization and job creation in Kenya.
The Dongo Kundu SEZ, part of the Mombasa Port Development Project (MPDP), is designed to boost the capacity of the Mombasa Port and improve logistics along the Northern Economic Corridor. However, its progress has been hindered by legal, policy, and operational challenges, which have delayed its full implementation. Despite these setbacks, Kindiki reassured stakeholders that the government is committed to overcoming these obstacles to ensure the SEZ’s successful operationalization.
“Special Economic Zones hold the golden key for the revitalization of value chains, industrialization, and import substitution,” Kindiki stated, highlighting the role of SEZs in driving Kenya’s economic growth. He emphasized that the operationalization of Dongo Kundu and other SEZs across the country is crucial to creating jobs, boosting the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and positioning Kenya as an industrial hub in East Africa.
The Deputy President further noted that the Dongo Kundu SEZ has been in the works for several years but has faced various challenges that have slowed its development. These include issues related to land acquisition, policy alignment, and regulatory bottlenecks. However, Kindiki affirmed that under the leadership of President William Ruto, the administration is focused on removing these barriers to speed up the completion process.
“The Kenya Kwanza Administration is doing everything possible to unlock all constraints for the operationalization of Dongo Kundu SEZ,” Kindiki asserted, signaling the government’s resolve to push forward with the project.
The inter-ministerial meeting was attended by a range of senior government officials, including Cabinet Secretaries Davies Chirchir (Roads and Transport) and Salim Mvurya (Acting CS, Investments, Trade, and Industry), as well as Principal Secretaries and other key figures. The team reviewed the remaining challenges in the development of the SEZ and discussed the necessary steps to accelerate its progress.
Among those present were Solicitor General Shadrack Mose, the CEOs of key agencies such as Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Railways, and Kenya Investments Authority, as well as the Chairman of the National Land Commission, Gershom Otachi.
The Dongo Kundu SEZ, once fully operational, will be instrumental in transforming Mombasa into a key logistics and industrial hub, significantly contributing to Kenya’s economic growth and regional competitiveness.
