The pristine waters of Kenya’s coastline are brimming with renewed promise as the Port of Lamu comes into focus as a key player in regional logistics and trade. Recent commitments between Kenya and its neighboring states are setting the stage for Lamu to shine as a transshipment hub.
In the vibrant landscape of African trade routes, President William Ruto announced a pivotal development: an agreement with Ethiopia to route significant portions of imported merchandise through Lamu, our burgeoning gateway. He remarked, “We have agreed with the Government of Ethiopia to start using Lamu Port so that we can create more jobs and grow the economy of this region,” while commencing the first Kenya-Off Grid Solar Access Projects on the serene Ndau Island in Lamu East.
This move leverages the strategic advantage of Lamu Port, Kenya’s secondary coastal powerhouse after Mombasa. It stands as a cornerstone of the ambitious Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor, a dream in the making since 2012.
The President shared some tangible milestones — the commissioning of three state-of-the-art berths that are now operational. He met with coastal leaders, including Governors Issa Timamy of Lamu and Godhana Dhadho from Tana River, to underscore the potential this port holds. Imagine the doors it opens for local and international trade. Will Kenyans from all walks of life seize this golden opportunity to engage in global commerce from their backyard?
In a heartening gesture, the government has earmarked KSh1.7 billion to compensate the fisherfolk who were displaced by the port’s construction. It’s a nod to balancing progress with cultural sensitivity, ensuring the local community is not left behind in the race for development.
But the President’s vision doesn’t stop at Lamu’s shores. Later that day, he inaugurated the Mokowe Affordable Housing Project in Lamu West, projecting new job prospects for the local youth. Concurrently, plans are underway to electrify 7,000 households in Lamu County, with a budget allocation of KSh600 million. Such infrastructural strides resonate with the government’s promise to end the era of uneven development resource distribution.
Through the lens of unity, President Ruto called for a departure from the divisive tropes of tribalism that have shadowed Kenya’s history. “We must stay united. We are one people and one nation with a common destiny,” he said, invoking a shared aspiration.
Beyond the western horizon, Tana River County saw the unveiling of the Bura Gravity Canal. This project promises to amplify irrigated land from 6,000 to 25,000 acres, a testament to Ruto’s commitment to agricultural expansion. “Seventy per cent of the funding for this project came from the government because we recognise the importance of agriculture in producing food to eradicate hunger,” he conveyed, reflecting a broader national strategy to bolster food security and lessen import dependency.
Yet, as the drums of progress beat, the President cautioned against tribal political antics, which persistently threaten national cohesion. A question to ponder: Is it not high time for political discourse in Kenya to evolve beyond tribal lines into a realm of inclusive dialogue for collective growth?
The day’s events convened an array of dignitaries — Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Members of Parliament, and local leaders — all converging to witness a ribbon of progress unfurl across their homeland.
