The County government of Kwale has announced completion of several road upgrades set to change fortunes of communities and investors in this coastal region.
Among the roads completed include, tarmacked Sh134 million Mvindeni-Lofta road in Msambweni sub-county that connects the Ukunda-Ramisi road on the Lungalunga highway to Diani Beach. Construction of the project was launched by Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya in December 2020.
Tourists will now have a second access route to the beach other than the busy Diani Beach Road at the Ukunda Junction. According to Ruth Khayanje, an Umoja resident who runs a cafe at the Mvindeni junction, where the road begins, the road has not only opened up opportunities for businesses but also improved security in the area where gangs had been common.
Property market
The road is also expected to spruce up the property market in the Diani Scheme area. More people are now buying land in the area and prices have been rising, said Diani Scheme village chairman Mzee Hamisi Mwakirea. An acre that previously sold for Sh2 million now goes for Sh3.5 million. In addition to the road projects, the county government has also fixed drainage systems and street lights on a section of the road, enhancing security.
Tourism stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the road, saying it will improve access to the award-winning Diani Beach. Tourism is one of the main sources of income for Diani residents, many of whom work in hotels or as tour guides.
โThe road is significant for hotels and tour companies and travel stakeholders at large. Previously, people did not know Diani and some knew it as part of Mombasa because of its difficulty to access. However, we believe we will now have more investments due to ease of accessibility,โ said Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast executive Sam Ikwaye.
โWe are taking advantage of devolution to ensure that every community member has benefited from development in this county. This new development will open up the frontiers of doing business and ease transportation,โ said Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya.
Another recently completed transport projects is the Samburu-Kinango road, which bypasses the ferry crossing and connects travellers from Diani Tsavo and Amboseli national parks.
