President William Ruto has given strong backing to a Sh12 billion Special Economic Zone in Jomvu, Mombasa, and set a six-month deadline for its completion. He witnessed the signing of a tripartite agreement at State House, Nairobi, on 8 September 2026.
The agreement was signed by the County Government of Mombasa, Mombasa Free Zone Ltd and DP World (in partnership with GulfCap Group, chaired by Suleiman Shahbal). The project is valued at more than US$100 million (about Sh12 billion).
Ruto said the SEZ will help Kenya move from exporting raw materials to manufacturing and exporting finished goods, creating jobs and linking local producers to regional and global markets.
Project Scope and Location
The Special Economic Zone will occupy 535 acres in Jomvu Sub-County on land previously used as a Kenya Meat Commission cattle staging ground. It sits close to the Port of Mombasa (less than 20 km) and is linked to the Standard Gauge Railway and the Northern Corridor.
Targeted activities include manufacturing, processing, assembly, branding, logistics and exports. Sectors expected to locate there include automotive assembly, textiles, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing and general logistics.
About 67 companies have already expressed interest in setting up operations inside the zone.
Jobs and Economic Impact
President Ruto said the first phase is expected to create up to 10,000 jobs. Earlier developer estimates by GulfCap put direct jobs at 7,972, with additional indirect opportunities for traders, transporters and service providers in the surrounding area.
The zone is designed to serve markets in the East African Community, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), turning Mombasa from a pure transit gateway into a production and export hub.
Strict Timelines and Government Incentives
Ruto attached clear deadlines to the project:
- Six months – The SEZ must be completed so that operations can begin.
- 120 days – Construction of a one-kilometre access road linking the zone to the main Mombasa trunk road.
To lower production costs, the government will offer SEZ investors a preferential electricity tariff of KSh 10 per kilowatt-hour.
“I know that the chairman of DP World has asked me directly that there is a road that is going to connect this zone with the major trunk road in Mombasa, and I have given my commitment that in the next 120 days that road will be made,” Ruto said. He added that he expects Shabal and DP World to complete the zone within six months.
Why the Project Matters
The President framed the Jomvu SEZ as part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Special economic zones, he said, provide platforms to build industries, expand exports, create jobs and connect farmers, entrepreneurs and manufacturers to value chains.
DP World brings global logistics expertise, while GulfCap and Mombasa Free Zone Ltd provide local development capacity. The County Government of Mombasa has made the land available and is supporting planning and community participation.
Shahbal described the deal as the culmination of more than 15 years of effort: “This is a first of its kind project. It’s something that I have chased over the past 15 years and finally today we have achieved it.”
Bottom Line
Kenya has signed a Sh12 billion tripartite deal for a 535-acre Special Economic Zone in Jomvu, Mombasa, with DP World and GulfCap. President Ruto has set a six-month completion target, ordered a key access road within 120 days, and promised power at KSh 10 per kWh for SEZ investors. The first phase is projected to create up to 10,000 jobs and help shift Mombasa toward manufacturing and value-added exports.
Success will depend on how quickly the infrastructure is delivered and how many of the 67 interested companies actually set up operations on the ground.
Sources:
The Star – Ruto: Mombasa SEZ must be complete in six months;
The Star – Preferential electricity tariff of Sh10/kWh;
People Daily – Dubai logistics giant signs Ksh12B deal;
Capital FM / allAfrica – Sh12bn Mombasa SEZ to create 10,000 jobs;
Citizen Digital.
This article is for information only.