Highways
Inter-regional Highways from Lamu to Isiolo, Isiolo to Juba (South Sudan), Isiolo to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and Lamu to Garsen (Kenya)
Profile
The LAPSSET Corridor Highways connect Lamu Port to landlocked Ethiopia and South Sudan, enabling movement of people and cargo along the LAPSSET Corridor, interconnecting the region, spurring regional trade and economic development.
The Main LAPSSET Corridor Roads include; –
- Lamu Port access road (10km)
- Lamu-Witu Garsen road (113km)
- Lamu-Garisa-Isiolo road (530km)
- Isiolo-Moyale-Hawassa road (505km)
- Isiolo- Lokichar – Nadapal – Torit – Juba Road (700km)
Current Status
- The 505km Isiolo – Moyale road is complete and operational while the 114km Lamu – Witu – Garsen Road is currently at 100% Complete including the Witu bypass.
- Lamu Ijara Garissa Road 74% Complete.
- The 10km Lamu port link road is 100% Complete
- Garissa-Isiolo section- 3%
- Isiolo-Lokichar road- designs completed funds yet to be committed.
- Lokichar – Nadapal 338km is currently at 98% complete
Cargo traffic
Some of the immediate cargo transported through the LAPSSET Corridor are as follows:
- Assorted minerals from Kenya
- Agricultural products from Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan
- Industrial products from Kenya and Ethiopia
- Livestock and Fish products from Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan
- Imported vehicles to Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan
- Imported industrial parts
- Crude Oil from Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda
- Industrial outputs from the Lamu Special Economic Zone
- Product Oil to Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan
- Recently discovered Copper will use the railway to transport the metal to Lamu for export
- Transshipment cargo will grow significantly considering that Lamu port will be the largest port of call in the East Coast of Africa. Much of this cargo will be transported inland via the railway line.
milestones
- Works on the 505Km Isiolo to Moyale section is complete.
- Construction works on the One-Stop Border Post at Moyale is complete.
- The road infrastructure spans from Lamu to Moyale and Nakodok through Isiolo.
- The Government has provided funds for the opening of the 280km Lamu – Garissa to gravel standard.
Immediate Benefits
- Travel time between Moyale (Kenya/Ethiopia border town) and Nairobi reduced from about 3 days down to 10 hours. Previously, bus travelers made two night stopovers during the journey from Moyale to Nairobi. The first at Marsabit and the second at Isiolo, arriving in Nairobi on the evening of the third day.
- Increased response by government institutions in the delivery of public services including security
- Stabilization of security among communities residing along the road has significantly increased. Inter-community conflicts have since reduced to almost nil.
- Increased commodity supply and economic trade into the region.
- Increased market access to goods and livestock produced from the region.
Cargo traffic
Some of the immediate cargo transported through the LAPSSET Corridor are as follows:
- Assorted minerals from Kenya
- Agricultural products from Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan
- Industrial products from Kenya and Ethiopia
- Livestock and Fish products from Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan
- Imported vehicles to Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan
- Imported industrial parts
- Crude Oil from Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda
- Industrial outputs from the Lamu Special Economic Zone
- Product Oil to Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan
- Recently discovered Copper will use the railway to transport the metal to Lamu for export
- Transshipment cargo will grow significantly considering that Lamu port will be the largest port of call in the East Coast of Africa. Much of this cargo will be transported inland via the railway line.
“TICAD VI is a great opportunity for the country and Africa at large. Japan is a long-standing partner with Kenya in development projects which include port and roads. Hopefully now this can also go to LAPSSET.”
Irungu Nyakera
Former Principal Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing & Urban Development
