President Uhuru Kenyatta officially opened the first berth of Lamu Port on May 20, advancing the Shs 2.5 trillion Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) project initiated in 2012. The facility, designed to include 32 berths with 29 private-sector funded, will become Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest deep-water port upon completion.
The ceremony coincided with the launch of the 114-kilometer Garsen-Witu-Lamu Road, intended to improve cargo logistics for the port. During the event, two vessels docked at the new facility: the Singaporean container ship MV Cap Carmel traveling from Dar es Salaam to Salalah, and the MV Seago Bremerhavel carrying Kenyan avocados to France.
Kenyatta emphasized the port’s strategic significance in linking Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, with future rail and pipeline connections extending to Dakar, Senegal. "Lamu Port will position Kenya as a critical gateway for African trade," he stated, highlighting its potential as a transshipment hub for continental cargo.
The project aligns with Kenya’s goal to become a middle-income nation by 2030, according to the president. He also announced the 470-kilometer Lamu-Ijara-Garissa Road, including security-focused routes, to address regional marginalization and create youth employment opportunities.
"This infrastructure will ensure Lamu residents share in national development," Kenyatta said, urging communities to collaborate with security agencies to combat crime. The event drew participation from regional leaders, governors, and officials, underscoring the project’s significance for East African integration.
