The LAPSSET Corridor Highways connect Lamu Port to landlocked Ethiopia and South Sudan, enabling movement of people and cargo, interconnecting the region, spurring regional trade and economic development. This includes;
The Isiolo – Marsabit – Moyale (505km)
The Isiolo Moyale road that connects Kenya to Ethiopia is part of the LAPSSET Corridor project which has instantly transformed Isiolo, giving the locals a new lease of life. As part of the project, the 508km section from Isiolo to Moyale is over 97 percent done, with only civil works pending.
The project has significantly reduced travel time from 3 days to 10 hours by road. A travel by road in this areas is quite an absorbing experience from the yellow markings contrasts dramatically complimented by the shadowy hills that hug the landscape.
According to a report by LCDA, the has seen mushrooming of new markets, improved delivery of government services, inflow of foreign investments, Increase in land value and has created employment opportunities for locals. Insecurity levels have decreased as the authorities are able to move easily and respond to any threats efficiently and effectively.Consequently, maternal deaths have decreased as a result of faster access to medical facilities.
Lokichar – Lodwar – Nakodok Roads
This LAPSSET higway component provide for a heavy transportation route from Lamu to South Sudan through Garissa, Isiolo, Kisima and Nginyang to meet the existing Kenya – South Sudan road at Lokichar, from where it continues to the border at Nadapal. The Lamu – Isiolo – Lokichar – Lodwar – Nadapal section is about 1,300 km. The Northern Branch of the corridor to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia covers Isiolo- Moyale section which is a critical component of LAPSSET Corridor road. Construction on this section has been completed together with the One Stop Border Post (OSBP).
The project is divided into four sections as follows: Lamu – Garissa Road -263km, Garissa-Isiolo Road – 305km, Isiolo – Nginyang Road – 212km, Nginyang – Lokichar – Nadapal – 533km.
The construction of the Lamu – Garissa – Isiolo road
The 305 km long Garissa-Isiolo Road forms part of the 1,250 km long Lamu Corridor and once complete will be Kenya’s second transport corridor and will benefit counties of Lamu and Isiolo in Kenya, Juba in Southern Sudan and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Construction of this road has improved access and connectivity between Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia and stimulate economic growth in the Northern and Eastern parts of Kenya.
Lamu –Ijara – Garissa Road
The Lamu–Ijara-Garissa road project is a 453-Kilometre road that is set for completion in 2023 and will be implemented at a total cost of 17.9 billion shillings. The project has various components which consists of 257 Kilometres Lamu–Ijara–Garissa road section, the 113 Kilometres Hindi–Bodhei–Basuba–Kiunga road section and the Ijara–Sangailu–Hulugho road section that measures 83 Kilometres.
Isiolo – Lokichar 368km
The Isiolo-Lokichar road project forms part of the infrastructure component of the Lapsset Corridor connecting Kenya’s North Eastern Kenya region to the hinter lands of Ethiopia and South Sudan. Section, final detailed engineering designs and Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) have been completed.
As the main infrastructure development goes on other alternatives have been identified to support hinterland markets and facilitate the immediate evacuation of cargo from the Port of Lamu.
