Taifa Gas Enters Final Testing Stage At Dongo Kundu As Milly Glass Begins Construction

Hydrotesting has begun on the Taifa Gas bulk storage plant inside the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kwale County. Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) Lee Kinyanjui confirmed the technical milestone following a comprehensive site inspection.

The gas project has reached its final construction phase following structural assembly completion. Ministry officials confirmed that full facility commissioning will occur within four months, as it will expand regional clean energy distribution networks.

Civil engineering works at the nearby Milly Glass manufacturing plant have officially commenced within the industrial complex. Heavy construction equipment moved onto the site this week, which signals the start of excavation work for the main glass production facility.

Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Kenneth Chelule accompanied ministry representatives during the field tour. Officials reviewed ongoing earthworks, site drainage, internal access roads, and utility grid connections servicing the development zone.

Government representatives reiterated their commitment to maintaining a stable regulatory climate for private investments. Strategic policy frameworks aim to attract local and foreign commercial entities, while building robust export capacity across coastal industrial parks.

The Dongo Kundu zone serves as a key pillar in Kenya's long-term economic development agenda. Positioned near the Port of Mombasa, the hub integrates maritime transport with regional logistics, as it offers resident manufacturers direct access to global trade corridors.

Taifa Gas is erecting a 30,000-metric-tonne Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage terminal on a 30-acre plot. The project includes 12 large spherical steel tanks, which will substantially enlarge cooking gas reserves across East Africa.

Contractors are subjecting the spherical tanks to hydrostatic testing to verify weld integrity and pressure strength. This mandatory technical evaluation ensures the containment vessels satisfy safety standards, but it must occur before commercial fuel loading commences.

The new terminal aims to enhance energy market competition and improve supply reliability for domestic consumers. Expanded storage infrastructure is expected to mitigate historical supply disruptions, which have periodically driven up regional fuel prices.

Meanwhile, initial ground preparation at the Milly Glass factory site is clearing space for heavy equipment deployment. The manufacturing plant will produce glass containers for local commercial sectors, as it will also supply regional export markets.

Commercial entities operating inside the zone benefit from administrative concessions and targeted tax structures. State regulators emphasize that predictable policy enforcement remains essential, if Kenya is to retain its competitive standing against regional economic zones.

Construction progress across anchor projects continues to generate immediate employment opportunities for local skilled workers. Engineering teams, equipment operators, and labor crews remain active on site, while upcoming operational phases will create permanent employment positions.

State agencies report growing interest from regional and international investors seeking manufacturing plots within Kwale County. Government authorities plan to accelerate auxiliary infrastructure delivery, which includes dedicated power lines and water supply pipelines for all tenants.

As heavy construction advances on multiple fronts, the master-planned zone is moving closer to full operational status. The ministry will maintain regular site audits, when tracking developer timelines to ensure project milestones are delivered without delays.

Public and private investments within the zone reflect ongoing efforts to diversify the national economic base. Sustained infrastructure delivery at Dongo Kundu is expected to solidify Kenya's role as an industrial manufacturing hub across the region.