The inauguration of the Suam One-stop customs Border Post is projected to play a significant role in strengthening East African regional cooperation.
Speaking during an inspection tour of government projects in Trans Nzoia County, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President Dr. Eliud Owalo said the project, which is 95 per cent complete, will greatly improve diplomatic relations between Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan once it’s commissioned.
Owalo who led a high-powered team from Government Delivery Unit on the tour, said the project will not only help boost trade by enhancing movement of goods and people between the sister nations, but added that security will receive a major lift because of the increased surveillance systems expected to be installed.
The project is co-sponsored by the World Bank and Government of Kenya through Kenya National Higways Authority to the tune of Sh4.5 billion, has seen Kitale-Endebess- Suam road receiving a major facelift to the relief of residents who are farmers.
Works on the project is set to be completed by the end of November 2025 after which the official commissioning by the Head of State will take place.
“Major components of the project are over and some are 90 per cent complete. We expect by the end of November 2025 the project to have reached its’ full completion for commissioning. Once completed, this project will not only serve residents of Trans Nzoia County but a diverse clientele of cross border business people.
Its services will go across the border as it will be of benefit to Kenya, Uganda and Sudan as nations. Trans border movement of goods and people will be streamlined enhancing regional trade to the benefit of the border communities and to our nations,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking after inspection of the on-going construction of a maternal and infant wing at Endebess Sub County hospital, which will enable the facility achieve Level 4 status, Dr. Owalo hailed the workmanship urging the contractor to speed up the works since the project is behind schedule.
He said once completed, the complex sponsored by the national government to a tune of Sh258 million will help boost maternal health and achieve the government’s agenda of universal health coverage.
“When the government set out its universal health coverage agenda, many thought it was a joke. However, time has proved how Social Health Authority is a game changer in the health sector. Mama mbogas and poor Kenyans who couldn’t access quality health services are now in a position to benefit courtesy of SHA,” he said and challenged residents who have not registered to do so.
He urged contractors implementing government projects to ensure the internet connectivity component is not left out saying it will help realize the government’s agenda of digitizing services.
“The government is strongly advocating for digitization of services. This will be achieved fully if all government facilities are connected to the fibre optic cable. It’s on this note we are urging contractors tasked with implementing projects and structures to ensure internet connectivity,” he said.
Other projects the team toured included Kwanza Technical and Vocational Training Project sponsored by the government for Sh68 million which is at 76 per cent complete, Maili Tatu Affordable Housing project where the government is set to spend Sh2.7 billion and Sibanga Market.
Accompanying the team was Trans Nzoia County Commissioner, Gideon Oyagi and the County Service Delivery Committee led by Engineer Victor Ng’etich.
By Isaiah Nayika
