LAPSSET spins to Life as Uhuru Commissions Landmark Port in Lamu

Photo: LAPSSET

LAPSSET roared back to life as President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned one of the largest port facilities South of Sub Saharan Africa. Uhuru commissioned the functioning of Lamu Port on Thursday. The Port is set to spur rapid economic development in Lamu County.

First three berths are ready for use, which include a container berth, a general berth and a bulk berth. Reports indicate that the Berth cost the government of Kenya about kshs.40 billion. According to State House, the president presided over the operation of the first berth of the 32-berth seaport.2 

During the launch, the president was accompanied by CS National Treasury and Planning Ukur Yatan, Lamu Governor Fahim Yasin Twaha and LAPSSET chairman Titus Ibui among others.

Lamu Port was the brainchild of Mwai Kibaki led government. Uhuru’s government has been so considerate in the transformation of the blue economy. Lamu Port becomes the second international seaport in Kenya after Mombasa, which was established 124 years ago.

Kibaki initiated LAPSSET alongside South Sudan President Salva Kiir and the late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The completion of the LAPSSET groundbreaking project will benefit Lamu residents in terms of job creation and increased economic activities in the region as it will be open to the outside world.

The construction of the seaport started in March 2012, after being identified by the Kenyan government as one of the flagship infrastructure projects for vision 2030. 

Apart from establishing a Port at Lamu, Uhuru’s government also facilitated the expansion of Mombasa and Kisumu ports. Uhuru inspected a 114km Garsen-Witu-Lamu road before he proceeded to the newly launched Lamu Port. 

The Port will have a huge potential for business owing to its proximity to major shipping routes along the Indian Ocean. The facility joins the Mombasa port as “a key entry and exit point of cargo”, as disclosed the President Uhuru during the official launch.

 The operation of the port will enable Kenya to compete for the trans-shipment market to Djibouti and South Africa. Media reports indicate that Mombasa and Lamu ports have distinct target clients that will attract a massive maritime traffic to the Kenyan Coast.

Kenya revenue Authority completed Lamu Port cargo clearance dry run ahead of the official launch.