Residents of Suna West Sub-County have welcomed plans to construct the Sh350 million Kopanga Border Post, saying the project will boost cross-border trade, improve security and create employment opportunities.
Speaking during a public participation exercise at the proposed construction site, Secretary in the State Department for Interior and National Administration, in charge of Border Management, Kennedy Nyaiyo said the government was committed to establishing Kopanga as an official port of entry and exit between Kenya and Tanzania.
Nyaiyo said approximately four acres had already been secured through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), facilitated by Suna West Member of Parliament Peter Masara, while Migori County Government was expected to allocate an additional seven acres for the project.
He said the World Bank, through the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) as the lead agency, had committed approximately Sh350 million towards construction of the facility.
The proposed border post will house Immigration Department offices, residential quarters for immigration officers, offices for government agencies and domestic revenue offices.
Nyaiyo said the facility was expected to improve cross-border movement, strengthen security, enhance service delivery and facilitate trade and tourism between Kenya and Tanzania.
“Lack of land and funding had previously delayed this noble project, but both requirements have now been addressed, and hopefully we will get the additional seven acres under the Migori County Government,” he said.
Construction is expected to begin by March 2027, with completion targeted for 2029, subject to the necessary approvals.
Nyaiyo said the next step would be to present the public participation report to the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee before it is forwarded to the National Security Council Committee for final endorsement.
Migori County Commissioner Kisilu Mutua commended the Suna West NG-CDF committee for its efforts towards securing land and advancing the proposed development.
Mutua said the national and county governments would work closely to ensure proper coordination and collective action in implementing the project.
He noted that cooperation between the two levels of government would be essential in addressing outstanding requirements and ensuring the proposed facility becomes a reality.
Kopanga resident Tom Mwabe welcomed the plans, saying the official border post would improve infrastructure and security while opening new economic opportunities for residents of the area and the wider Migori region.
Mwabe thanked the Suna West NG-CDF for allocating four acres to facilitate the project but urged the county government to provide the remaining land required.
He said timely allocation of the additional seven acres would help accelerate preparations and move the development closer to implementation.
Another resident and local businessperson, Elisha Mikwa, said the proposed facility would stimulate business growth, particularly in accommodation and tourism, while creating employment opportunities for the local population.
Mikwa urged the project implementers to prioritise residents when recruiting workers, saying local communities should benefit directly from the development.
Residents expressed hope that the border post would increase cross-border trade, improve security and attract investment once construction begins.
The proposed Kopanga facility is expected to strengthen economic links between communities in Kenya and Tanzania by providing a formal entry and exit point for people and goods.
It is also expected to complement existing border infrastructure in Migori County, easing movement and creating opportunities for traders and businesses operating along the international boundary.
The Kopanga Border Post is expected to become the third official entry point between Kenya and Tanzania in Migori County, after the established Isebania Border Post and the recently opened Ntimaru Border Post in Kuria East and West sub-counties.
by Iventer Anyango/Makokha Khaoya
