The Government Delivery Unit (GDU) has intensified monitoring of ongoing national government projects in Mombasa County, with a focus on eliminating bottlenecks, enforcing timelines and accelerating economic gains.
A delegation led by Acting Head of the GDU Olando Sitati and Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha toured key project sites across the county as part of a wider regional assessment that has also covered Taita Taveta County and Kwale County.
The team assessed progress on the Mombasa–Mariakani (A109) Highway Project, specifically Lot 1: Mombasa–Kwa Jomvu Section, which is aimed at easing congestion, improving freight movement from the Port of Mombasa and enhancing regional connectivity along the Northern Corridor.
The delegation also inspected works under the Multinational Bagamoyo / Horohoro / Tanga – Malindi Highway (Lot 1: Mombasa–Mtwapa), a cross-border infrastructure project expected to strengthen trade links between Kenya and Tanzania while improving mobility within the Coast region.
In the blue economy sector, officials visited the Kidongo Fish Landing Site, a project designed to improve fish handling, storage and market access for local fishermen, thereby boosting livelihoods in coastal communities.
Housing development was another key focus area, with the team touring the Nyali Affordable Housing Project (AHP) in Nyali Constituency. The project forms part of the national government’s affordable housing programme aimed at increasing access to decent housing while generating employment opportunities for residents.
The delegation concluded its tour at the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, where significant infrastructure development is underway. Sitati said the project is central to unlocking the region’s economic potential and creating employment opportunities for residents.
Speaking after the inspection, Sitati said the visit was aimed at ensuring that contractors adhere to agreed timelines and that challenges affecting implementation are resolved on the spot through a coordinated multi-agency approach.
“We are here to ensure that projects are progressing within the stipulated timelines and that any hurdles faced by contractors are addressed immediately. Our team brings together officers from various ministries and agencies so that decisions can be made promptly,” he said.
The delegation expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, noting that contractors had committed to fast-tracking completion to enable residents to benefit from the investments.
At the Dongo Kundu SEZ, officials highlighted ongoing infrastructure works being undertaken by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) alongside private investors. The project has already created employment opportunities for more than 250 youths from Likoni, in line with the government’s commitment to prioritize local recruitment.
Officials from the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), which is spearheading part of the infrastructure works at the zone, said recruitment processes have been strengthened in collaboration with local administration to prioritize residents from the area.
Sitati said previously stalled projects in the region had been revived and were nearing completion following close monitoring by the GDU.
“We are following up on the President’s pledges county by county to ensure they are fully implemented. Where projects had stalled, we have intervened and ensured work resumes. We want the people of the Coast to receive their rightful share of development,” he said.
Onyancha commended collaboration between national government officials, regional administrators and security agencies, saying the “one government” approach had strengthened accountability and improved coordination at the grassroots.
“We appreciate the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders in ensuring that government programmes are delivered efficiently. Our role is to ensure that no project stalls and that members of the public receive the services and opportunities promised to them,” she said.
She reaffirmed that the inspection tour was part of ongoing efforts to ensure transparency, efficiency and timely delivery of development projects across the Coast region.
The GDU team said it would continue conducting similar monitoring visits to guarantee that government programmes translate into tangible economic and social benefits for the people.
By Chari Suche
