President William Ruto has announced plans to revive the construction of the Eldoret-Juba highway which has stalled for nearly a decade. The road, backed by the World Bank to the tune of Ksh135 billion is at risk of losing the funding issued in 2013.
The plans were announced in a joint communique between Presidents Ruto and Salva Kiir on Wednesday, November 6 after a meeting between the two heads of state to salvage the Tumaini Initiative which has been on the verge of collapse.
From the engagements, the two came up with a number of resolves going forward that would enhance strategic partnerships between Kenya and South Sudan. Among the resolutions was the construction of the 11-kilometre cross-border Nadapal to Nadokok road, which would enhance trade and movements between the two countries.
The road is part of the Eastern Africa Regional Transport, Trade, and Development Facilitation Project, which dates back to 2015.Â
A section of the Nadapal-Nadokok Road under construction. PHOTO/ Construction Kenya.
In 2015, under Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime, Kenya signed a Ksh51 billion credit agreement with the World Bank for the upgrade of the 298-kilometre section between Nakadok and Loichangamatak in West Pokot, with the money being part of a larger Ksh135 billion loan approved by the World Bank in January 2013.
The project also included the construction of a 338 km road from Lokichar to Nakodok, also at the Kenya-South Sudan border. Despite initial projections suggesting the project would take six years to complete, the road network, particularly around the Kenya-South Sudan border is still grappling with a spate of issues.
Now, the road risks losing the funding, with an expiry date for the funding set for Friday, November 8. The two presidents agreed that the road remains a crucial cog to revitalise the region and directed ministers from the two countries to engage the World Bank for an extension.
“On the construction of the 11km Nadapal to Nadokok road, the two Heads of State noted that it is a vital cross-border infrastructure crucial for enhancing trade and movement between our countries,” a statement from State House said.
“Kenya secured a loan with World Bank which will expire on November 8 2024. In order to avoid the lapse, the two Heads of State directed ministers responsible for roads to undertake discussions with the World Bank immediately.”
Road projects in North West Kenya and around the South Sudan border have been hampered in recent years by a number of factors, with insecurity and border tension among communities in Kenya and South Sudan being top of the concerns.
With the November 8 deadline on the World Bank loan facility approaching, President Ruto and his counterpart Kiir have since urged their respective ministers for roads to engage in discussions with the World Bank to agree on the way forward and ensure the project is a success in the long run.
President Ruto’s intervention in the link road project comes nearly a year after Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai underscored the need for collaboration among stakeholders and other elected leaders to unlock a stalemate in the construction of the Nadapal-Nadokok road.
The governor affirmed his county government’s commitment to oversee the Ksh2.9 billion road project but was adamant it could only be implemented through a joint collaboration from all key stakeholders.
President William Ruto and South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit. PHOTO/ Courtesy
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