The upgraded Kitale-Endebess-Suam road and Suam One Stop Border Post (OSBP), once launched will foster trade, road transport and security linkages between Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr. Raymod Omollo made the remark at Suam border in Trans Nzoia County on Tuesday during an assessment of infrastructure development progress at the OSBP.
Omollo, who also chairs the Border Operations Coordination Committee, was accompanied by his East African Community counterpart Mr. Abdi Dubat, Trans Nzoia Deputy Governor Binea Kapkory, Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General Rispah Simiyu and area County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi among other high ranking government officers.
The PS expressed the government’s satisfaction of what he described as commendable and quality workmanship on both the OSBP and Kitale-Endebess-Suam highway.
“We are pleased to inform residents of Trans Nzoia County and Kenyans at large that within the next two months all pending construction and engineering works at both the OSBP and Kitale-Suam road will have been concluded,” stated Omollo.
According to the PS, infrastructure at the OSPB was at 84 percent completion, while the Kitale-Suam road was at 97 percent.
He urged the project’s contractor to ensure the project was ready for launching after two months.
“The setting up of the right infrastructures is key to economic growth and development of this region. We therefore urge traders in this county to be ready to make good use of this new development that is envisaged at opening numerous opportunities for them,” said Omollo.
Besides trading and transport activities, Omollo informed members of the public present that the OSBP would enable the government to boost security operations along the Kenya-Uganda border.
“Once operational, this OSBP will boost government security services aimed at eradicating proliferation of illegal firearms, outlawed brews and drug substances, counterfeit goods as well as the war against banditry,” he noted.
Once completed, the Sh100 million OSBP will house customs, immigration and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), security offices, including a modern market centre among other structures.
The project was funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and sits on a 24-acre piece of land and aims at setting up a modern border post complex that will accommodate customs and security offices.
While in Mombasa in 2018, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni signed a development partnership agreement, part of which was upgrading of Kitale-Suam-Kapchorwa road and establishment of One Stop Border Posts in order to enhance trade and security between the two countries.
Construction of the OSPB project was launched on April 10, 2021 and was integrated with upgrading of the 45 kilometre Kitale-Suam highway.
Traders and residents in the region have exuded confidence, with most of them saying the OSBP would greatly boost commercial activities as well as living standards in the region. Local traders present who spoke to Kenya News Agency expressed delight, with most noting the border post will integrate well with upgraded road.
“We are glad to see and hear that infrastructure works at One Stop Border Post will be concluded within the next two months. Once it is officially operationalized, it will in effect lead to thriving business activities on our Kenyan side,” said Mrs. Lucy Wangoi, a local trader who disclosed Kenyan traders were currently operating at the Ugandan side.
The locals have also appealed to the government to consider setting up public learning institutions and other social amenities at the OSBP. Most of them argued that the only nearby primary and secondary schools are far and found in Chepchoina Location.
Most parents are afraid of enrolling their kids to nearer schools on the Ugandan side. “Our children have to trek for several kilometres in search of education at the Chepchoina primary school. We call on the government to also set up a school nearby,” said Mrs. Jane Naliaka, a local.
On their part, Matatu operators told KNA they were facing difficulties, for instance the drivers had to wake up very early before vacating guest houses on the Ugandan border to avoid being harassed by Ugandan security officers when crossing the border to access their vehicles.
“We are optimistic that the establishment of the border point would see the setting up of a modern Matatu terminus,” said Godfrey Simiyu, a driver.
By Maurice Aluda
