Kenya’s Lamu Port is set to play a more significant role in regional trade following an agreement between President William Ruto and Ethiopia. The deal will see landlocked Ethiopia use the port to facilitate the transportation of imported goods to its hinterland. This development is expected to boost economic activity in the region, create jobs, and strengthen Kenya’s position as a key logistics hub in East Africa.
Speaking during the launch of the Kenya-Off Grid Solar Access Project in Ndau Island, Lamu East Constituency, President Ruto confirmed that the first three modern berths at Lamu Port are now complete and ready for use. He also announced plans to host regional leaders at the port to enhance cooperation and investment.
Lamu Port, Kenya’s second-largest after Mombasa, is a crucial component of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor, a regional infrastructure initiative that has been under development since 2012. To support communities affected by the project, the government has allocated KSh1.7 billion to compensate fisherfolk displaced by the port’s construction.
In addition to trade and logistics, President Ruto underscored the government’s commitment to development initiatives in Lamu County. He launched the Mokowe Affordable Housing Project, which comprises 468 units and is expected to provide employment opportunities for local youth. Furthermore, the government plans to connect 7,000 households in Lamu to electricity at a cost of KSh600 million in the current financial year.
The President emphasized that historical inequalities in resource allocation across Kenya have ended, ensuring every region benefits from national development initiatives. He called on Lamu residents to embrace unity and reject tribalism, warning that division along ethnic lines could hinder progress.
Beyond Lamu, President Ruto also commissioned the Bura Gravity Canal (Korakora–Nanighi) in Tana River County. This project will expand irrigated farmland from 6,000 to 25,000 acres, significantly boosting agricultural output. With 70% of the project’s funding sourced from the government, he reiterated Kenya’s commitment to achieving food security and reducing reliance on costly food imports.
The President also issued a stern warning against politicians seeking to divide Kenyans along tribal lines, urging the public to reject leaders who lack a clear development agenda. He reaffirmed the need for national unity, emphasizing that Kenya must move forward as one nation with a shared destiny.
This agreement with Ethiopia marks a significant milestone for Lamu Port, reinforcing its potential as a strategic trade gateway and a driver of economic growth in the region.
