Kenya: Special Economic Zones’ construction in Likoni to start soon on 3,000 acres

Kenya's Likoni is set to construct a Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with an average investment of USD 30 million. The report has been confirmed by a Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) consulting engineer for the Mombasa-Southern bypass, Robert Ikegi.

According to Robert Ikegi, the construction of SEZs in Kenya's Likoni will start when the residents to be affected due to the project are totally compensated. A multi-million Dongo-Kundu port will be constructed by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) whereas KeNHA will build the road connecting the SEZs to second phase of the Dongo Kundu bypass. The construction of SEZs is undertaken by the trade and industrialization ministry. The SEZs is said to be built on the 3,000 acres of land, Construction Review Online noted.

Earlier, KeNHA also compensated some residents who were set to be relocated to pave way for the construction of the road. Now KPA is compiling the final list of those to be compensated during the construction of the port. "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," Robert Ikegi opined.

On the other hand, this overall project will open for over 1,000 direct and minimum 2,000 indirect opportunities once it commences. Even Environmental Impact Assessment was also brought on the table for discussion with the residents who are highly concerned about the negative impact on the environment due to the project.