The Jubilee government has since 2013 invested in excess of Ksh.3.7 trillion for various projects at the Coast that upon completion will position the region as an attractive destination for investment, trade and tourism.
Many projects are currently underway in the region, which will see the face of the coast change as a multi-billion infrastructure project under the Mombasa port area road development come to light.
Speaking at Mwache where construction of the Ksh.22 billion package two of the project is ongoing, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the completion of the second phase is critical because it is currently the missing link of the entire project.
The Changamwe inter-change which is expected to be opened to the public on October 21 will be a three-decker which is first of a kind in East and Central Africa.
At Dongo Kundu bypass, which is under Japanese consortium, Fujita Corporation is now 33 percent complete.
The 8.96-km dual carriageway project expected to cost Ksh.25 billion involves the construction of an interchange at the Likoni-Lunga Lunga highway and erection of two bridges: one at Mwache spanning 660 metres, and another at Mteza straddling 1,440 metres.
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Phase III of the project, which will connect the bridge to South Coast road in Kibundani area, is now at 85 percent.
Among the projects earmarked for completion are the Ksh.4.5 billion Makupa Bridge, the Ksh.16 billion three-deckers Changamwe inter-change and Ksh.19 billion dual roads from Kwa Jomvu to Mariakani.
Others are the Ksh.40 billion new Kipevu Oil Terminal at the Port of Mombasa and phase II of the second container terminal at the Port of Mombasa.
Mombasa City is also a beneficiary of the Ksh.1.9 billion Likoni floating bridge and the Ksh.1 billion modern cruise ship terminal at the Port of Mombasa.
The completion of the Dongo Kundu bypass will drastically reduce traveling distance between Mombasa, Kwale and other surrounding areas and will also ensure free movement of marine vessels that need to access Likoni Harbour as well as enhance traffic to the south coast and also boost trade between Kenya and Tanzania.
The Deputy Project Director Eng. Eustace Mutea said the construction of phase two of the bypass is progressing well and is set for completion in 2024.
“We might complete the project ahead of the stipulated period because we have mobilized all the required equipment and put in place the necessary logistics,” said Eng Mutea.
In May this year, President Uhuru Kenyatta Commissioned the Lamu Port and launched berth No 1 and container terminal No 1 at Manda Bay.
The Port which has started receiving ships will catapult Kenya into the league of key global trans-shipment and commercial maritime hubs.
It is expected to give huge competition to established ports such as Durban of South Africa, Djibouti and Salalah of Oman.
