February 3, 2022, marked a crucial meeting in Mombasa where stakeholders and leaders discussed the progress of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (Lapsset) Corridor projects. Three years after Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan committed to building infrastructure on the corridor, projects have stalled due to insecurity and funding issues.
Kenya Lapsset Corridor Development Authority Chair Titus Ibui emphasized the need to mobilize funds and improve security to ensure the projects are completed. He noted that a number of projects have stalled as a result of insecurity after suspected al-Shabaab militants attacked residents and even contractors, forcing the project implementers to flee.
“We are concerned about the insecurity in Lamu that is crippling progress of Lapsset projects. We have seen contractors suspend works due to insecurity but we are addressing that,” said Mr. Ibui.
Kenya has so far used up $1.39 billion in the construction of roads and other infrastructure from its coffers. The Lapsset Corridor is meant to link the three states via rail, airports, roads, and oil pipelines. If successful, Lamu would become eastern Africa’s largest seaport with 23 berths.
China Communications Construction Company Ltd withdrew its workers from various projects in Lamu County after eight vehicles used in constructing the Lapsset Corridor Project access road were torched by al-Shabaab militants. The 453-kilometre Lamu Port Development Road project network began in April 2021 and was estimated to take 24 months.
With the projects having been hit by delays and security challenges, it is unclear whether the port, power plant, railway, and other facilities from the Lamu port, through to South Sudan and Ethiopia will be completed on time. So far, only construction of the $354 million first phase of the port has been completed.
