Coastal Access Overhaul as KSh 1.15 Billion Funzi Causeway Hits New Work Phase

The Kenya Rural Roads Authority has confirmed that the construction of the Funzi Causeway in Kwale County is moving into its next phase of implementation. During a recent inspection tour of the coastal region, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir reviewed the site to monitor the technical progress of the KSh 1.15 billion project. Data from the site indicates that the works are currently at 23 percent completion, with a final delivery target set for December 2026.

This infrastructure project is designed to provide a reliable link between Funzi Island and the mainland in Msambweni Sub County. For years, residents and visitors have relied on water transport or seasonal crossings that are often dictated by tide levels. The development includes the construction of a 500-meter vented causeway and the upgrading of a 17-kilometre access road stretch that connects the site to the existing Milalani-Munja road network.

Engineering teams on site have focused on the initial structural foundations required for the vented causeway. Vented causeways are specific hydraulic structures designed to allow water to flow through pipes or openings beneath the road surface during normal conditions while maintaining a stable crossing for vehicles. This is particularly critical in the coastal ecosystem of Kwale, where mangrove wetlands and tidal movements present unique environmental challenges.

The project scope involves more than just the water crossing. The 17-kilometre road component is being improved to gravel standards to ensure that the approach roads can handle increased traffic once the causeway is fully operational. According to the Ministry of Roads, the contractor received an initial advance payment of KSh 95 million to mobilize equipment and begin the earthworks.

During his assessment of coastal infrastructure, CS Chirchir noted that the government is prioritizing the completion of stalled or ongoing projects to ensure value for public investment. The Funzi project has faced various timelines since it was first commissioned, but the current administration has placed it on a fixed schedule. The Ministry has emphasized that the timely disbursement of funds is being used to prevent further delays on site.

Local economic activities, particularly in the tourism and fishing sectors, are expected to change once the project is finished. Currently, the lack of a permanent road link limits the movement of goods and services to and from Funzi Island. Improved accessibility is slated to lower the cost of transport for residents who frequently travel to the mainland for health services and markets in Msambweni.

The Kenya Rural Roads Authority, which oversees the project, continues to monitor the contractor’s adherence to the December 2026 completion date. As the project moves past the quarter-way mark, the focus will shift toward the primary structural works of the vented sections and the final grading of the 17-kilometre approach road.