Kenya port opens

The President witnessed the docking of the Maersk-operated MV Cap Carmel and MV Seago Bremerhavel, the first ships to dock at Lamu Port, being built by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).

“As a critical pillar of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor project, this Port will connect South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Eventually, it will connect northern Kenya to the Middle Belt of Africa; which runs from Dakar, Senegal in the west to Lamu in the east,” President Kenyatta said.

More international trade

When complete, the Shs310bn port will have 32 berths, 29 of which will be financed by the private sector, making it the largest deep-water port in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The president said Lamu Port will open up northern Kenya to international trade, fortifying the country’s position as a top economic gateway to Africa.

“With one of the deep-water harbours on the east coast of Africa, Lamu Port has the potential to become a premier transshipment hub for all cargo destined for the continent. Furthermore, Lamu now joins Mombasa Port as a key entry and exit point of cargo, deep into and out of Africa’s hinterland,” he said.

President Kenyatta also launched the 114km Garsen-Witu-Lamu road that will facilitate the movement of cargo in and out of Lamu Port.

The President said Lamu Port and LAPSSET form an integral part of the broader connectivity the Government is establishing through the Kenya Transport and Logistics Network (KTLN), an ambitious infrastructure blueprint that seeks to seamlessly link the country’s ports through railways and pipelines.

“In the next phase of LAPSSET, Lamu Port and northern Kenya, will be connected by rail and pipeline links, which will eventually reach Ethiopia, South Sudan and other regional States, with the final stop being Dakar in Senegal,” the President said.