Mt Kenya region to reap big from Lapsset project

Governor Peter Munya (left) with Lapsset Board Chairman Amb Francis Muthaura at Meru Slopes Hotel during a meeting on the Lapsset project. [PHOTO: PATRICK MUTHURI/ STANDARD]

Mt Kenya region is set to benefit in a big way from the Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor project, which will begin to take shape in the next few months.

Meru County plans to launch several infrastructure projects to cash in on the ripple effect, which will open up a swathe of previously undeveloped Eastern and Northern Kenya, dispersing the goodies to as far as Nanyuki and Nyeri, according to Lappset management board officials who were in Meru on Tuesday.

At a consultation forum between the Lapsset management board and local leaders, the county government announced plans to build tourist hotels, a university city and a township in the vicinity of the proposed Isiolo Resort City.

The county leaders, led by Governor Peter Munya, residents and the Lapsset Board led by Chairman Francis Muthaura were meeting to deliberate on the opportunities the project offers for the locals.

Governor Munya said the county is all set to take advantage of Kenya’s second transport corridor that cuts across 10 counties.

opportunities

The corridor is expected to traverse Igembe North constituency as it snakes its way to Isiolo. This is the northern-most edge of the county but locals are especially looking forward to the opportunities to be created at the Resort City in the neighbouring Isiolo County.

Although no MP attended the forum, Mr Muthaura and Mr Munya said Meru will have an opportunity to put up agricultural and infrastructural projects along the transport corridor and to create wealth for its people.

Leaders from Igembe North and other areas adjacent to the Isiolo International Airport and Resort City - two key projects under Lapsset - said they have planned on how to take advantage of countless opportunities.

The corridor will pass along Igembe North constituency and Joseph Eruaki, the area MP, said on phone that his people are ready to invest there.

“I have held meetings with Igembe North community members from Mombasa, Nairobi and other places and discussed investments such as hotels, shopping centres and others. A major challenge is insecurity, but with the project coming up, that will be a thing of the past,” said Mr Eruaki.

“We are finalising plans to build a new city just two kilometres from the airport. We will put up various facilities along the corridor,” Mr Munya said. “We plan to construct a University City. A modern sports facility is also in our plans.”

Mr Munya said a resort and other tourist attractions in the Nyambene conservancy, also along the corridor, will create opportunities for locals.

Duncan Mwirichia, a Ndumuru resident said he has set aside money for a matatu to ply the Kamweline-Gashuru road, which is parallel to the Lapsset corridor highway from Lamu.

“I have been herding all my life, and my livestock have been stolen by thieves from the neighbouring counties. Now I will have an alternative,” he said