Nine trillion landmark project launched in Kwale

A multi-billion shillings project that aims at boosting the country’s economy and transform livelihoods for many coastal residents was on Saturday, January 6 launched in Kwale.

The project, dubbed Shimoni Integrated Development Project (SIDEP)   will cost Ksh9 trillion and will transform Shimoni area and many parts of Kwale County into what the developer has termed “a world class eco-friendly development area when complete.”

The Shelter Solutions Limited (SSL), which is a Kenyan engineering and development consultancy firm, in partnership with the Coast Development Authority (CDA) and Kwale County Government, are the lead developers.

“Existing transport and communication infrastructure will need to be overhauled to support the movement of the expected agricultural produce as well as the raw minerals to the projected Industrial Park,” said Saleh Mung’ang’a who is the Managing Director SIDEP.

Under the private-led initiative, up to 10,000 Megawatts of cheap captive power will be generated through Desalination Technology, to boost the regions Industrial Mining and Mineral Processing capacity.

Additionally, Desalination Technology will be used to produce 5,000,000 cubic meters of Indian Ocean water on a daily basis, to be used for irrigation purposes to better the food security of a region that has been affected by drought over the years.

According to Mung’ang’a, the first phase of the SIDEP project will be to improve agriculture, fish industry, region’s road network as well as put up an industrial park.

“Existing transport and communication infrastructure will need to be overhauled to support the movement of the expected agricultural produce as well as the raw minerals to the projected Industrial Park,” added Mungángá.