Sh2.9bn Kenya-South Sudan project underfunded – Gathungu

Workers lay fibre cables (Image: Courtesy)

A Sh2.9 billion project to facilitate economic integration between Kenya and South Sudan will remain a mirage.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu said the project, which commenced in November 2015 and was scheduled for completion in December 2021, has been severely under-funded.

In her report for the year that ended June 30, 2020, she said only Sh325 million, or 11 per cent of the budget, had been released to the East Africa Regional Transport, Trade and Development Facilitation Project.

“The project is unlikely to fully achieve the intended objectives for the stakeholders,” Gathungu said.

The project's objective is to improve transportation of goods and people along Lokichar-Nadapal-Nakodok road in the northwestern part of Kenya and to enhance connectivity between Kenya and South Sudan.

It seeks to extend the geographic reach of broadband networks, including enhanced international connectivity for South Sudan and Kenya.

The project is also meant to support the development of fisheries in Lake Turkana, irrigation in northwestern parts of the country and provide access to markets.

It would contribute to economic growth in the region through increased trade and better access for landlocked countries to the Port of Mombasa.

The project further seeks to fully integrate underdeveloped northwestern parts of the country into the larger Kenyan economy.

Gathungu said the project is also geared towards providing alternative road access to the Port of Mombasa for South Sudan's exports and imports (without transiting to another country), as well as facilitating reconstruction efforts in all sectors in the neighbouring country.

She said it will enhance service delivery and attract development and roadside businesses in less developed areas of the road corridor within the two economies.

Once completed, the project would have enhanced internet connectivity through the construction of a high capacity fibre optic cable and associated connections alongside the Eldoret to Nadapal-Nakodok road.

The project comprises several components. One component involves upgrading selected critical road infrastructure. This includes the support of the Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) for upgrading Lokichar-Nadapal-Nakodok (338km) stretch. Of this, 298km was to be financed by the International Development Association (IDA).

The Kenya Revenue Authority was to carry out a programme of activities designed to implement transport, trade, and development facilitation measures.

There was also a plan to strengthen the institutional capacities of entities involved in project implementation, including support to the national transport and safety authority to implement the safe system and provision of advisory services, training, and operating costs to Kenha.

Edited by A.N