World Bank gives nod to Kenya–South Sudan corridor

By John Oyuke

World Bank has approved the construction of a Sh113.1 billion road linking oil-rich South Sudan to Eldoret town.

The 1,000km Juba-Eldoret road corridor is expected to significantly reduce cost of transporting cargo from Mombasa port to the landlocked country and improve livelihoods of the north-western part of Kenya.

The Bank’s country director in South Sudan, Ms Bella Bird, said the road would encourage a multi-faceted development of the landlocked country that has little by way of road infrastructure.

“This corridor is expected to enhance economic growth, especially agriculture, of the landlocked nation,” she said.

Speaking during a donor consultative meeting in Nairobi, Bird said the Bank is keen to support Kenya and South Sudan governments in developing the transport corridor and asked other donors to come on board.

“Partnership in a project of this magnitude is particularly critical because no single government or development agency can provide the estimated $1.3billion needed,” she stated.

The two governments have committed to realising the idea of developing the corridor by upgrading the Juba-Eldoret road and implementing associated trade facilitation measures.

Speaking during the Tuesday’s donor’s consultative meeting, Finance Permanent Secretary, Joseph Kinyua disclosed that construction of the corridor could begin as early as next year when funds are secured.