Construction of Sh30 billion Likoni economic zones set to start soon

The construction of the Sh30 billion Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the second phase of the Dongo Kundu bypass in Likoni is set to start as residents call for fair compensation.

Last Thursday, the residents led by their MP Mishi Mboko converged at Mwangala village for a stakeholders meeting and resettlement plan for those who will be affected by the project.

The meeting was attended by officials from The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the Kenya National Highway Authority (KenHA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Besides resettlement, discussion at the meeting focused on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with the residents expressing concern on the degradation that the projects are likely to cause.

KPA will construct a multibillion Dongo-Kundu port while KeNHA will build the road connecting the SEZ to the second phase of the Dongo Kundu bypass.

Trade and Industrialisation ministry is undertaking the construction of the SEZs.

KeNHA started last December to compensate those who will be relocated to pave way for the construction of the road, and the process is ongoing. The KPA is still compiling the final list of those to be compensated during the construction of the port.

A KeNHA consulting engineer for the Mombasa-Southern bypass, Robert Ikegi said the first phase of the compensation for the affected residents started in December last year.

“The project is scheduled to commence soon. Right now the compensation is ongoing and we expect that also to be completed as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr Ikegi said the locals will be considered for jobs when the project starts.

KPA Principal Environmental Officer Daniel Githinji told journalists that the whole SEZ project will be built on the 3,000 acres.