As East Africa embarks on an irreversible journey to full integration, the President said Kenya recognizes its position as a gateway to the region and is implementing modern seamless transport logistics to make East Africa a competitive investment destination.
He affirmed his Government’s determination to ease the transportation logistics and reduce transportation costs from the Port of Mombasa and, later, from the Port of Lamu, to all East African destinations.
“We want the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of
South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Republic of
Tanzania to partake fully in the benefits arising from our natural vantage point,” he said.
He said Kenya’s active involvement in infrastructure initiatives is driven by the fact that a growing East African economy will increase the volume of business at the ports. The President observed that Mombasa port operations are being reorganized to improve the ‘turn-around’ time for ships and already that time has been reduced from 11 to 6 days.
The Head of State thanked President Xi Jinping of China for his personal interest and support in the railway project.
Deputy President William Ruto said the launch is an important step towards fulfilling the Jubilee Coalition’s pledge of a faster transport system that will grow the economy by double digits.
“This project will provide the single critical platform that will re-engineer our economy,” the Deputy President said.
He said the high speed railway will also reduce road accidents as it will decrease congestion on the country’s roads.
Mombasa County leaders, led by Governor Hassan Joho and Senator Omar Hassan, assured the President and Deputy President that they fully backed the project. They said those who were initially opposing it were doing so due to lack of information but now they have the facts and they will support it to its successful completion.
About The Author
