This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 23, 2020, a significant milestone was achieved in Lamu County with the handover of the Sh.49 million Manda Jetty to the national government. The project, which was one of the Presidential Delivery Unit's key initiatives, aimed to improve transport infrastructure across the country.
The Manda Jetty, located in Lamu's Manda Island, is one of four jetties being built in the county at a total cost of Sh.649 million. The others are Mtangawanda, Mokowe, Mangrove, and Manda, which has been rehabilitated in the county to ease travel and ferrying of goods across the Lamu Island.
Speaking during the technical handover of the rehabilitated Manda Jetty, Chief Engineer Hillary Nyaanga revealed that the project had been scheduled for completion in one year but was completed ahead of schedule. The new jetty has been greatly improved and extended with a disabled-proof ramp, a newly done pontoon ramp to ease boats in docking and anchoring, as well as the construction of a 220-meter sea wall coupled with a walkway.
“With the expansion of the jetty, more boats will be accommodated as well as ease for travellers and cargo coming in and out of Lamu,” Nyaanga said.
The Manda Jetty is normally used by travellers seeking access to Manda Airport and had been earmarked as a key infrastructural investment by the Jubilee administration. The jetty would soon be commissioned by the national government but is now fully operational.
Resident engineer Peace Oduk noted that the other three jetties remained on course for completion, with the Mangrove Jetty almost complete and the Mtangawanda Jetty at an advanced stage of completion with piling works being done. “The Mokowe Jetty stands at 50 percent completion with piling works ongoing, and we can expect the project to be completed by August 2021,” Oduk said.
Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia lauded the contractor for being punctual and delivering on the project on time. “These jetties are key Presidential Delivery Unit's projects that besides being well done need to be maintained for long-term use by travellers,” Macharia opined.
The jetties are being built collaboratively by the State Department of Public Works and Kenya Ports Authority, who were expected to maintain them once completed.
