Businesses and tourism reap big from Sh30b Dongo Kundu bypass

Motorists along the Dongo Kundu bypass in Mombasa County on August 8, 2024. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

The business community in Kwale County is now reaping big from the operationalisation of the Dongo Kundu bypass, which has offered direct access to the Diani holiday destination.

The Sh30 billion bypass has opened up the South Coast to business, agriculture and housing ventures as it provides a direct connection to Mombasa without having to use the Likoni ferries.

Businessman and former top chef David Ndirangu said they have seen an increase in the arrivals of guests from upcountry flocking for the long December holidays.

"We have seen a surge in guest arrivals into hotels, holiday homes, apartments and even Airbnbs in the South Coast this particular season, all as a result of the Dongo Kundu bypass,'' Ndirangu said.

He lauded Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani for supporting investments in the hospitality and leisure industry.

Ndirangu said they are also banking on the completion of the Diani airport whose upgrade will enable wide-bodied aircraft and night operations to start.

His sentiments were echoed by the chairman of the Kenya Coast Tourist Association Victor Shitakha, who said that there was reportedly an average occupancy of up to 90 per cent. ''This is really what infrastructure can do to a destination, particularly like Kwale's South Coast haven of Diani," said Shitakha, who is also a board member of the Kenya Tourism Board.

The Southern bypass in Mombasa has heavily contributed to the decongestion of the Likoni Ferry crossing. The Dongo Kundu bypass between Miritini to the north and Kibundani to the South Coast includes the Mwache and Mteza bridges.

Tourism players said they saved more than two hours wasted at the Likoni crossing channel due to traffic snarl-up.

Drivers are saying that it takes them 45 minutes from Diani Beach to Mombasa through the Dongo Kundu bypass.

"To us, this is a success story. We could spend up to five hours during heavy traffic jams at Likoni Ferry. Now, we only spend a few minutes to reach the airport," Bartram Jacob, a tour operator said.