Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reiterated the government’s determination to operationalize the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mombasa County, describing SEZs as critical to Kenya’s economic transformation.
Speaking during a high-level roundtable meeting with inter-ministerial and agency representatives, Kindiki noted that the SEZs have immense potential to revitalize value chains, drive industrialization, and reduce reliance on imports.
He said that while the Dongo Kundu SEZ has been in the pipeline for some time, its progress has been hindered by legal, policy, and operational challenges.
Kindiki assured attendees that the Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to overcoming these hurdles to ensure the zone becomes operational as soon as possible.
He highlighted the project’s ability to create jobs, boost Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and attract foreign investment.
During the meeting, the Deputy President revealed that a comprehensive plan was being mapped out to address the outstanding issues that had delayed the project.
He stressed that collaboration among all relevant ministries and agencies would be essential to fast-track its implementation.
The roundtable brought together key officials, including Cabinet Secretaries Davies Chirchir (Roads and Transport) and Salim Mvurya (Acting CS, Investments, Trade, and Industry), as well as Principal Secretaries Dr. Juma Mukhwana (Industrialization), Alfred K’Ombudo (Trade), Mohamed Daghar (Transport), and Dr. Idris Salim Dakota (Cabinet Affairs).
Also in attendance were Solicitor General Shadrack Mose, National Land Commission Chairman Gershom Otachi, and Chief Executive Officers Capt. William Ruto of Kenya Ports Authority, Philip Mainga of Kenya Railways, and John Mwenda of Kenya Investments Authority.