Kenya and South Sudan are expected to deepen bilateral relations as the two countries explore more avenues for mutually beneficial business.
Officials from the two nations witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony for South Sudan’s internal container depot in Naivasha.
This project will see all cargo destined for East Africa’s youngest nation that comes through the Mombasa port transported by rail to Naivasha for clearance and onward transportation.
The dry port in Naivasha is one of the 5 to be constructed by nations in the northern corridor.
The Kenyan government gave out land and issued titles to Uganda, DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi in 2022 under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
South Sudan becomes the first nation to invest in the Naivasha special economic zone, logistics zone, which is a kilometer from the main dry port
According to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku who officiated the ground-breaking, Kenya continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, especially in the Northern corridor as a key driver for growth and opening up opportunities for trade opportunities with its neighbours.
He committed that President Ruto is keen on deeper cooperation within the East African region.
Consequently, officials from the Rwandan government are also in the country and were at their allocated site, ready for work.
Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Authority Executive Director John Deng’ says that according to the feasibility study, cargo handling at the Port of Mombasa cargo handling would grow at about 5 million metric tons every year.
Thus, the extension of the port into Naivasha is welcome and would greatly open up the region.
South Sudan’s Ambassador to Kenya Simon Juach Deng’ notes that establishing the inland container depot would create an avenue for the deepening of relations between Kenya and South Sudan which span over 40 years.
South Sudan’s transport ministry undersecretary Paul Dhel Gum, who represented the country’s minister called on the Kenyan government to consider its request to have facilities in Mombasa which would open up their investments into the blue economy
