Marsabit cashes in on Kenya-Ethiopia Lapsset road as traders flock to region

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Mr Yatani said businesses that have cropped up along the road funded by the national government and the European Union had also helped the county government improve its revenue collection.

The construction of Merille-Marsabit-Moyale highway that nears completion has increased trade between Kenya and Ethiopia.

The road which is part of the Lamu-Port-South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor project is unfinished at two points- at the entrances of Marsabit and Moyale towns.

Marsabit Governor Ukur Yatani said the it had greatly boosted the regional economy following massive investments from several investors.

Traders have begun to invest in expectation of potential opportunities that come with the infrastructure and several other projects set to be rolled out in the region.

The 600 km Kenya-Ethiopia international border stretch has also provided an avenue for Marsabit County to engage in tourism and trade.

“One of the greatest potential of the county is the border shared by the two counties. At the moment since we do not have a control point except in Moyale town, a lot of goods are entering Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Kenya from different points,” said the governor.

He added that a number of East African (EA) commodity products including soaps, textile and plastics are transported to the Ethiopian market.
Although southern Ethiopia has not industrialised as much as the EA region, some of its products freely flow into the Kenyan market.

Cropped up along the road

Mr Yatani said businesses that have cropped up along the road funded by the national government and the European Union had also helped the county government improve its revenue collection.

Petrol stations, hotel and restaurant, wholesale shops and other service industries have cropped up along the Sh13.7 billion road constructed by the China Wu Yi construction company.

Two years ago residents of Marsabit were unable to get fresh vegetables and other goods on time, but the new road is set to make this possible as it becomes easy and fast to transport produce from Meru County reach.

“Unlike before, residents of Marsabit can now get fresh vegetables and bread from Meru every morning,” said Mr Yatani.

Transport, importation and exportation of livestock and other goods between the two counties has also increased with about 30 buses plying the road daily.
Unlike before, tourists visiting parks can also travel to the county easily from other regions.