Sh120m market set to spur Kwale's economy

A Sh120 million market for fresh produce to be built at Kombani in Kwale County is set to be a game-changer for the local economy.

The new market, located at the junction of Likoni-Lunga Lunga-Tanga-Dar es Salaam and Likoni-Kwale-Kinango-Samburu highways, will serve more than 6,000 local farmers, 1,000 traders and 75 wholesalers.

It is easily accessible both from Tanzania and Mombasa as it is on the highway, and also from the hinterland in Kinango and other parts of the country through the Mombasa-Kwale-Kinango-Samburu-Nairobi connection.

The facility is suitably located less than 20kms from Likoni and the multi-billion shilling Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mombasa, whose construction was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta a fortnight ago.

It will be the second biggest wholesale and retail market after Kongowea market in the nearby Mombasa County.

Construction of the market, funded by the European Union (EU), was commissioned by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Governor Salim Mvurya and five envoys from the union last week.

Mr Wamalwa said the project would spur economic growth, adding that Kwale was among the best counties in the country to invest in.

“Kwale is also my favourite among the 47 devolved units, which have great opportunities for investment. This, coupled with good leadership, makes it an investors’ first choice,” said Wamalwa.

He said the government had partnered with Kwale County more than any other devolved unit and pledged more partnership to propel the government’s Big Four agenda.

“I also want to praise you for being voted the best beach destination in Africa for six years in a row. This is a landmark achievement for Kwale, which has a vibrant tourism sector,” said Wamalwa. The market will be a hub of farm produce – vegetables, grains and cereals – as well as fish and meat.

Farmers from Kwale’s agriculture-rich Shimba Hills will easily access the facility.