LUNGALUNGA — LungaLunga town is undergoing rapid infrastructure upgrades following its official designation as a municipality, setting the stage for expanded cross-border trade and improved livelihoods.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani gazetted LungaLunga as a municipality in early July, launching an ambitious plan to modernize the town, which lies at the southern edge of Kenya’s border with Tanzania.
“We’re unlocking LungaLunga’s economic potential,” Governor Achani said during a recent site tour. “By improving infrastructure, we’re creating the conditions for business growth, better mobility, and community well-being.”
Since the gazettement, the county has begun resurfacing key roads, upgrading the drainage system, installing streetlights, and renovating the main market. These changes have already impacted daily life.
Nicodemus Kioko, a long-time resident, recalled frequent disruptions before the upgrades. “When the river flooded, children missed school and roads turned to mud,” he said. “Now things are different. You can get around even when it rains.”
The installation of streetlights has extended business hours, especially for small traders who previously closed early due to poor visibility. “We now sell into the night,” said trader Juma Kalimbo. “The lights have helped everyone, even the smallest vendor.”
As part of its community-driven approach, the county has awarded sanitation contracts to local women’s groups. Kudzecha Women Limited is one such firm maintaining cleanliness in the market and clearing blocked drains.
“After starting our company, we won a tender to clean up the town,” said Mercy Kinago. “It’s given us income and pride in keeping our home clean.”
LungaLunga Municipality Manager Grace Mbeyu confirmed that the new infrastructure is already strengthening the town’s role in cross-border commerce. “Moving goods is easier now. Traders from both sides are coming in. A cleaner, more organized town is good for business.”
Located on a key transport corridor, LungaLunga connects coastal Kenya to Tanzania’s northern regions. The town is increasingly viewed as a strategic node for regional trade, especially in agricultural produce and small-scale imports.
As Kwale County continues with the rollout of new projects, Governor Achani said the goal is to make LungaLunga a model municipality for border towns across the country. “This is just the beginning,” she said.
With construction ongoing and momentum building, LungaLunga is quickly shedding its image as a neglected rural town and emerging as a growing gateway between Kenya and Tanzania.
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