Kenya's ambitious Lamu Port-South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor (Lapsset) project, which includes a $1.5 billion Lokichar to Lamu Crude Oil Pipeline, has been underway since 2012.
Despite the project's nine-year timeline, director general Maina Kiondo assures that progress is being made, with the environmental social impact assessment report currently undergoing public participation.
According to Mr Kiondo, the project has undergone significant transformations, including the completion of initial preliminary studies and Front End Engineering Designs.
A geotechnical investigation from Turkana to Lamu right of way for the project is also complete.
Compensation and Land Acquisition ¶
Mr Kiondo anticipates that by June this year, the Pipeline Project Management Team will be done with the inspection, survey, and preliminary report, paving the way for land compensation and the commencement of construction.
However, the government is yet to acquire land for the project, with the biggest challenge being the acquisition of 500-meter-wide land to accommodate the railway, pipeline, Internet fibre, and parts of the road.
Over 92 per cent of the required land has been inspected, surveyed, and preliminary evaluation carried out.
The port of Lamu, a key component of the Lapsset project, is currently 87 per cent complete, with plans to operationalize the first berth and container terminal in the next three months.
The port is expected to be launched once most of the road networks connecting it to major hubs are complete, likely by October 2021.
