Dongo Kundu land owners to be paid in January, Swazuri says

Kenya National Highways Authority Special Projects Manager Kung’u Ndung’u (left) shows an architectural design of the Mombasa Port Area Road Development Project (Dongo Kundu By-pass) to other engineers during a tour of the project on August 19. [Photo File/Standard]

The national government has released Sh706 million for the compensation of land and property owners in the first phase of the Dongo Kundu bypass project in Mombasa.

National Land Commission (NLC) Chairman Muhammad Swazuri said the beneficiaries (of the compensation) whose list is being finalised will receive the cash in January next year.

The bypass, whose first phase is to be constructed by a Chinese firm, will include construction of a series of roads and bridges linking Mombasa West to the Kenyan South Coast in Kwale. It will be an alternative to the Likoni ferry for those crossing to the South Coast.

The entire project is funded by the Japan International Co-operation Agency. The initial cost for the entire project was Sh30 billion but this was revised upwards due to variations in designs.

Addressing a public meeting at Shika Adabu in Likoni sub-county on Wednesday afternoon Dr Swazuri allayed fears by land and property owners that the Government might not pay them particularly those without title deeds.

Economic zone

"I want to dispel fears that some people have been compensated for land and development in the Dongo Kundu project. We have Sh706 million to be paid in the first phase of the project running between Maganda and Port Reitz, a distance of 8km. The money will be paid in January next year," Swazuri explained.

He explained that NLC would compensate all people affected by the multi-billion-shilling project including those without title deeds.

The Sh11 billion phase one entails construction of a dual carriageway to facilitate quick evacuation and entry of cargo at the port of Mombasa.

The second phase will start from Mwache to Dongo Kundu where the Government plans to develop a special economic zone or Dubai-like Mombasa free trade zone.

It will involve construction of 8.96km Mwache-Dongo Kundu road and Mwache and Mteza bridges. The third phase will run from Dongo Kundu to Kibundani where the new road will connect the Likoni-Lunga Lunga road. The 6.86km section will be built with an interchange at Kibundani junction.

Swazuri told the land owners along the section earmarked for phase three of the project to be patient, adding that the Government would compensate them when it sources funds from development partners.

"The Government will pay when it gets money from development partners. There is no money readily available to compensate those in phase two and three at the moment," he explained.

Construction of a key road has started raising hopes of easy traffic flow and economic take-off in Mombasa.

The contractor for phase one of the southern bypass route or Mombasa Port Area Development Project has already broken ground and done the trial road after mobilising equipment.

Contract agreement

"The contractor is within schedule because doing the trial road is part of the contract agreement and therefore there is no delay. This phase will take 36 months as planned," Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) Corporate Communications Manager Charles Njogu explained recently.

The three phases of the project are estimated to cost more than Sh30 billion.

The bridge link across Mwache and Mteza creeks in phase two of the project is expected to open up Dongo Kundu and the south Coast to industry, commerce, tourism and other economic activities.

The cost of land and value of houses in areas near Dongo Kundu and other infrastructure including the Standard Gauge Railway have reportedly shot up as well. Mr Njogu explained that the Government was set to negotiate with the financier for additional funds to have the entire infrastructure a dual carriageway as opposed to the earlier plan.

"Due to increase in traffic, the entire Dongo Kundu highway will be a dual carriageway to link up with a similar road to be constructed from Mombasa to Mariakani. Tender for phase two of the Dongo Kundu bypass will be advertised after negotiations for additional funding," he said.

In May, Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa took the contractor China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation to the site at Miritini to embark on phase one of the project.

Kenha Project Manager Kung'u Ndung'u said this phase would ensure the easy flow of cargo to and from the Port of Mombasa which was expected to increase in the next three years.