A Wall Street Journal report has highlighted how frequent Al Shabaab attacks in Kenya’s northeastern region have hindered the progress of the $25 billion (approximately Ksh3.2 trillion) Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor project.
This major initiative aims to turn Lamu Port into a central hub for international trade, linking the landlocked nations of Ethiopia and South Sudan. The project involves building roads, railways, oil pipelines, airports, and resort cities, which could significantly boost Kenya’s economy if security threats were not a concern.
Once completed, the project would facilitate cargo movement to Moyale on the Ethiopian border and Nakodok on the South Sudan border, while oil would be transported via pipeline from Lake Turkana to the coast. Additionally, three international airports and several resort cities are planned along the corridor.
However, despite its potential, only 10% of the Lamu-Garissa road has been paved, with Al Shabaab attacks continuously disrupting progress. Since construction began in 2021, 16 people, including Kenyans and Chinese workers, have been killed, and 40 more have been injured in these attacks, further delaying the project.
The Lamu Port, which is supposed to have 23 berths, currently has only three completed, and it is largely underused, primarily handling livestock exports. A port official noted that only minimal cargo activity has been recorded since the port opened in 2021.
Tensions along the Somali border, combined with possible local sympathies for terrorist groups, are also contributing to the delay. Despite military interventions, the violence has not been contained, raising concerns about the completion of key infrastructure such as railways. The deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has further slowed progress, as construction typically moves only about five kilometers at a time to coordinate security with the building efforts.
