As Kenya prepares to launch its logistics and industrial hub in Mombasa, the much anticipated construction of the Sh25 billion Dongu Kundu bypass is currently underway after the government handed over the site to the contractor a month ago. Dongo Kundu is a strategic location in which the government plans to create an economic engine and a regional production hub through the infrastructural change.
The Dongo Kundu bypass, also known as the Mombasa city southern bypass, is a proposed road and bridge project that will connect Mombasa Mainland (South and West) without entering Mombasa Island. Dongo Kundu Bypass is a proposed road that will connect Mombasa Mainland without entering Mombasa Island.
County commissioner Nelson Marwa said that the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, have already began preparing the site for the imminent construction. He also stated that the contractor made plans to work on the first 10kms of the Miritini to Kipevu road that will provide a link for the Nairobi-Mombasa highway all the way to the port. The bypass will decongest the coastal city by establishing an alternative route to the Likoni channel.
Residents from various parts of Mombasa are excited as this project will directly or indirectly affect about 600,000 people in Mombasa, Likoni, Changamwe and Ukunda.
Khatib who lives in Likoni hopes that the road will ease vehicle congestion at the port and hopes ferry users will have an easier time crossing the channel once the numbers ease. Mwandawiro of Changamwe mulls the economic opportunities that will arise once the road is built. He reckons it will spur development and ease movement around Changamwe area which suffers chronic traffic jams.
Joseph, a tour operator in Diani says
“Even though business is low right now, the road will revive South Coast Tourism as people coming from the airport will not experience any delays coming to Diani. Also it will make it easier for a person driving down from Nairobi to drive express to South Coast for their holiday. For us tour operators, Safari to Tsavo and Amboseli will be easier as we can bypass Likoni and join the Highway directly.”
Japan International Cooperation Agency will fund the first phase and it is estimated at a cost of Sh11 billion. The construction plan will create job employment opportunities to the people of the region.
This development comes just weeks after African Development Bank signed a sh10.4 billion loan agreement with the National Treasury to finance a dual carriageway from Mombasa Island to Mariakani. In addition, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has solidified plans for the construction of the 2nd Nyali bridge that will give Mombasa infrastructure a massive boost.
