Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the government faces a daunting task of restoring transport infrastructure damaged by floods, with costs estimated up to Sh30 billion.
While inspecting the damaged road networks in Lamu County, Murkomen expressed concern over the significant economic loss caused by the destruction of key infrastructure. He noted that the disruption has also affected cargo movement from the Port of Lamu to neighboring countries.
Murkomen explained that the situation has complicated the evacuation of a 60,000 metric ton consignment of fertilizer for Ethiopia, which was shipped through the Port of Lamu from Morocco.
“For instance, we have been marketing the Port of Lamu for many years. And through the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Development Authority and Ethiopia agreed to use the port of Lamu to bring in their cargo which brings us business. They have brought in 60,000 metric tons of fertilizer which is still at the port. Immediately it arrived and wanted to celebrate the moment alongside ministers from Ethiopia, this flood situation struck us and that has brought a lot of problems,” explained Murkomen.
He however assured the Government of Ethiopia that “We are exploring alternative routes to address this problem even as we prepare to begin restoration of critical infrastructure across the country.”
Regarding the extent of the flood damage, the CS stated that preliminary findings indicate the government will need between Sh25 billion and Sh30 billion to restore roads and bridges across the country.
“We have conducted an assessment of the damage caused by floods so far and we have established that the extent of the loss is devastating. We have lost a number of roads and bridges in the country.
“Even though we will finally validate the findings, we have gathered that the amount of money required to restore the damaged infrastructure is substantial,” Murkomen said. He added that an assessment of the flood damage is nearly complete and that plans are in place to engage Parliament to allocate the necessary resources.
The CS witnessed the dire situation firsthand between Gamba and Lango la Simba.
