The roads agency plans to open up the northern corridor by building two link roads that will cost at least Sh22.6 billion and connect Kenya and South Sudan.
In documents requesting approval from the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) claims that the first link road, a 142-kilometer stretch from Morpus to Lokichar, will cost Sh16 billion. It will cost Sh6.6 billion to build the 55-kilometer section from Lesseru to Kitale.
The sections form part of the 945 kilometres Eldoret – Kitale – Lodwar -Nadapal – Kapoeta – Juba corridor interconnecting Kenya and South Sudan and it will be built with funding from the State and development partners such as African Development Bank (AfDB).
“It’s one corridor but with different lots each with a specific length. It will be built at Sh22.6 billion but the actual cost will depend on the bidders in the tender process. Engineers just give a rough estimate,” Samwel Kumba, KeNHA deputy director of corporate communication said.
The road begins at Morpus, about 66.4 kilometers from Kitale town, and travels in a north-easterly direction through the commercial hubs of Turkana’s Kainuk, Kakongu, and Kalemngorok, as well as West Pokot’s Sebit, Ortum, and Marich Pass, before coming to an end at Lokichar.
Improvement of the roads will significantly enhance connectivity within the Eastern African region, connecting the southern regions to the northern parts of Kenya linking landlocked South Sudan to Kenya.
The project connects South Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania.
