Murkomen reveals plans to build railway line to South Sudan
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen says Kenya is keen on building a railway line that will link Kenya and South Sudan.
In a series of messages on his socials, the youthful CS clarified that the railway line will commence at the newly built Port of Lamu, and traverse through Moyale, Garissa, and Turkana to South Sudan.
When built, the railway will enhance trade between the two countries, and specifically provide Juba with a direct route to the Indian Ocean.
Murkomen shared the sentiments on the same day he visited the Naivasha Inland Container Depot.
We are also inviting investors to develop and run a new railway corridor from Lamu to Moyale, through Garissa, and to South Sudan through Turkana.
These plans will make Kenya a very competitive country and enhance ease of doing business. pic.twitter.com/nBuK5Kc7Pu
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) December 15, 2022
The statement comes a few days after President William Ruto and Murkomen toured South Sudan and held talks with President Salva Kiir and top government officials.
The leaders discussed how to increase their bilateral relations with President Ruto later announcing that South Sudan traders will decide on whether to pick their imports from Mombasa, Nairobi, or Naivasha.
Kenya’s other railway line is supposed to link Mombasa Port to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and DR Congo.
The railway has currently terminated at Naivasha and Murkomen says plans are underway to link it to Kisumu and Malaba border.
Kenya exported goods worth Sh17 billion to South Sudan in 2021 against imports of Sh92 million.
South Sudan is the second country in terms of cargo throughput volumes at the Mombasa port after Uganda, accounting for 9.9 percent of transit goods. Uganda accounts for 83 percent of all cargo followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Rwanda at 7.2, 3.2, and 2.4 percent, respectively.
Also read: Legendary producer Clemo nominated for Nairobi Chief Officer’s post
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga launches another book
Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza’s impeachment is not a surprise’