Ruto targets jobs, exports as Sh12 billion Mombasa Special Economic Zone gets six-month completion deadline

President William Ruto has ordered the Sh12 billion Mombasa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to be completed within six months as part of efforts to transform Mombasa into a major manufacturing, logistics and export hub. The project, valued at more than US$100 million (Sh12.954 billion), is being developed with the involvement of Gulfcap Group, chaired by businessman Suleiman Shahbal. Speaking on Tuesday during the signing of a tripartite agreement between the County Government of Mombasa, Mombasa Free Zone Ltd and DP World, Ruto said the project must quickly move from plans to infrastructure, investment, factories and jobs. He also directed that a one-kilometre access road linking the zone to the main Mombasa trunk road be completed within 120 days. The President further pledged a preferential electricity tariff of Sh10 per kilowatt-hour for investors in Special Economic Zones to help reduce production costs.