Kilindini Harbor is an example of a natural geographic phenomenon called a ria, formed millions of years ago when the sea level rose and engulfed a river that was flowing from the mainland.

The project was launched in July 2011 at a cost of $82.15 million by the Kenyan Government and was carried out by China Roads and Bridge Corporation.

The project is to increase the port throughput by 33%, consolidating the leading status of Mombasa as well as Kenya in East Africa.

[9] The Kenyan Government has also started facilitating the development of a Free Port on a 1,200 ha (3,000 acres) of land owned by the Authority at Dongo Kundu area through public private partnership arrangements.

[10] Known as the Dongo Kundu bypass the projects aim is to ease traffic flow to Kenya's South Coast.