First 3 berths of Kenya's Lamu Port set for commissioning in 2021

The first 3 berths of the Lamu Port, constructed by the China Communication Construction Company, is set for commissioning by end of October 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya said on Wednesday.

Kenyatta, who toured the port accompanied by Abiy Ahmed, the prime minister of Ethiopia in the country on a state visit, said the first berth is complete while the other two are 86 percent complete.

Expressing satisfaction on the progress of the 32-berth Lamu Port, Kenyatta said he looked forward to the commencement of world-class logistics operations at the port so traders can make Lamu the premier port of choice in East Africa.

The port is an anchor project of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor, which is being developed to complement the Mombasa-Nairobi-Addis Ababa Road Corridor.

Kenyatta told Ahmed he will invite him to the commissioning event together with the president of South Sudan.

He said completion of the first 3 berths of the Lamu Port will require a road off-take system to provide connectivity from Lamu to Moyale, to Hawassa and to Addis Ababa, spanning about 2,000 kilometers.

"I am glad to inform you most of the Kenyan sections of that road network are either complete or very near completion," Kenyatta informed Ahmed.

He said the complete Isiolo-Moyale road is a game changer by opening up trade and transportation opportunities across the border.

Kenyatta said the Lamu-Witu-Garsen road is progressing well and is now 80 percent complete.

"This road will provide the initial off-take route, and will serve as a good link to Ethiopia from Isiolo through Garissa. We have also commenced the process for the construction of the new Lamu-Garissa road, 250 kilometers, which will provide yet another transport artery to the Lamu Port," Kenyatta said.

Ahmed said Lamu Port will benefit Ethiopia and South Sudan, encouraging the two countries to work as part of the efforts to integrate the whole of Africa.

"This afternoon we are witnessing the potential of Lamu Port, not only for Ethiopia but also for South Sudan. This will help us realize our vision, which we have already been discussing and working on, for economic integration of our region and the transformation of the lives of our people," Ahmed said.

He said while there is a lot of potential in Ethiopia, without ports and road connectivity it would be difficult to export their products or import from other countries.

Ahmed emphasized the importance of infrastructure and economic integration, saying it would be hard for countries to survive in the 21st century without good infrastructure.

"We can transform the Horn of Africa as long as each government dedicates their time and resources to invest in infrastructure like my brother did in Kenya," he said.