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STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H.

,
PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF
THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE SIGNING CEREMONY FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION LAMU PORT FIRST THREE BERTHS CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY AND MS CHINA
COMMUNICATION CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AT STATE HOUSE, NAIROBI
ON 1ST AUGUST, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today is an important day in the history of our development agenda. We have
converged here to witness a signifcant event that will have tremendous impact
on the course of our development. In addition, it will make our country the
most attractive transport and logistics hub in the region.
The commencement of this proect reinforces government!s resolve to make
infrastructure a key facilitator of our social and economic development. The
signing of this contract for construction of the frst three "erths is a maor
milestone in delivering the L#$%%&T 'orridor $rogram as well as achieving
(enya!s )ision *+,+. The construction of the frst , berths will present a strong
case and trigger for participation of the private sector in construction of the
remaining *- berths and other components of the corridor.
The 'onstruction of the frst three berths at Lamu will cost the Government (sh
.* billion. The Government has already set aside for (shs. .../ "illion to
immediately commence the construction works. This includes funds for
compensation of proect a0ected persons. I am therefore directing the 1inistry
responsible for lands to complete the process of compensating those a0ected
by this proect as soon as possible.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

In addition to the $ort, the L#$%%&T Initiative encompasses other infrastructure
components and facilities namely2
3 4oads2
3 4ailway2
3 #irports2
3 5il 4efneries2
3 5il $ipeline2
3 6ibre 5ptic 'able2 and
3 7igh Grand 6alls.

#ll these components are intended to be implemented as a package that will
result in the development of an integrated transport and economic corridor.

The development of the L#$%%&T 'orridor and indeed the 6irst Three "erths of
the Lamu $ort is underpinned by a comprehensive feasibility study completed
in *+88. This study indicates that the $ort of Lamu will handle appro9imately *.
million tons of cargo per annum by year *+,+.
This is supported by the fact that the geographical location of Lamu provides a
naturally deep and sheltered harbour that will re:uire minimal dredging to
receive large post panama9 vessels.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
5ne of the key drivers of the L#$%%&T 'orridor is its importance to regional
integration by linking (enya with its neighbouring countries of ;ganda, %outh
%udan and &thiopia.
The commencement of the 6irst Three "erths will send a strong message to our
neighbours of (enya!s commitment to regional trade facilitation and
integration. To this end I am directing the 1inistry Transport and Infrastructure
to fnalise the inter<governmental agreement for the development and
operation of the transport corridor with %outh %udan.
In addition, the L#$%%&T 'orridor will also provide the much needed transport
infrastructure that will certainly result in economic prosperity of the =orthern
and &astern parts our country.
In the light of (enya!s recent discoveries of mineral resources such as oil, coal
and gas, the need for the Lamu $ort and the 'orridor cannot be gainsaid. 5ur
country must develop the additional transport and infrastructure capacity to
harness the immense mineral wealth that our country is now discovering.
In fact, it is now clear that the development of the L#$%%&T 'orridor must be
accelerated and I therefore direct (enya $orts #uthority which is the
implementing agency to ensure that the port proect is completed within the
envisaged timeframe and costs.
"esides the prosperity e9pected from the development of the port the
Government has already embarked on the enhancement of skills of the youth
of Lamu.
%o far **+ students have been recruited through participation of the Lamu
'ounty leaders and 8>- of them have already reported to various colleges.
4ecruitment of more youth will be carried out annually to achieve a target of
8+++ as soon as possible. This endeavour is aimed at ensuring that our country
and indeed the people of Lamu have the re:uisite capacity to participate in the
development and operation of the corridor.
Let me conclude by thanking the 1inistry of Transport and Infrastructure, The
=ational Treasury, the "oard of L#$%%&T 'orridor ?evelopment #uthority and
(enya $orts #uthority for progressing this proect.
I wish you every success in implementing this important proect.
Thank you very much.

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