Lamu leaders warn partial LAPSSET rollout risks killing corridor’s promise

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Leaders from Lamu County have warned that failure to fully implement all components of the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor could undermine its economic promise and further marginalise coastal and northern Kenya.

Speaking during a public participation forum on the South Lokichar Oilfield Development Plan, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said the county was ready to benefit from the project but cautioned against piecemeal implementation.

“We must implement the LAPSSET master plan in full. This project must also be used to transfer skills and build Kenyan manpower,” Mr Timamy said.

He said Lamu’s strategic assets — including deep-sea access and rich natural heritage — remain largely untapped, despite their potential to transform the local economy.

“We have some of the deepest waters in the world, yet we rarely benefit from it. We are losing opportunities. Let us not lose this oil pipeline opportunity as well,” he said.

The governor added that Lamu is also the country’s largest cotton producer and an emerging economic hub.

Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech assured residents and investors that the county is secure and ready for large-scale investments linked to the corridor.

“Our security environment supports major investments. Lamu is open for business,” Mr Koech said.

Governor Timamy said Lamu Port is already capable of handling international maritime traffic.

“We have three state-of-the-art cranes, and any size of ship can dock at Lamu Port,” he said.

Lawmakers said the oil pipeline component is critical to the success of the entire corridor, citing cost efficiency and regional integration.

“It costs about five dollars to transport oil through a pipeline compared to about twenty dollars by road,” said Lamu East MP  Ruweida obbo.

She warned that dropping any component of LAPSSET could erode trust among communities along the corridor.

“LAPSSET supports about 800 million people. Removing one component will create mistrust, especially among marginalised communities,” she said.

Members of the Joint Committee overseeing the project said the forum was meant to collect public views, not impose decisions.

“Our purpose here is public participation. We are here to listen, not to conclude for you,” said committee member Mr Julius Mawathe.

Officials from the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority said the project remains a regional undertaking involving Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan, but suffers from coordination and funding challenges.

“This project has been moved from one ministry to another. That has weakened coordination and reduced funding,” the authority’s chief executive, Stephen Ikua said.

He added that land acquisition and compensation delays remain a major bottleneck, despite being a constitutional requirement.

So far, 821 kilometres of pipeline mapping and design have been completed, with construction pending.

The authority said the pipeline could also generate revenue by transporting South Sudanese crude.

“We can earn about 35 dollars per barrel by transporting oil from South Sudan, which produces about 110,000 barrels per day,” said Mr Ikua.

Leaders also urged Kenya to leverage regional markets, particularly Ethiopia.

“Ethiopia has a population of about 137 million people. That is a major opportunity,” said Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo.

Questions were also raised about whether the corridor could be expanded to include other countries, such as Uganda.

“I don’t know why Uganda was left out. Is the corridor closed, or can we open it up?” asked Ruiru MP Simon Kingara.

Joint Committee co-chairman Lemanken Aramat (Narok East) said Parliament would back communities along the corridor.

“We have listened to you, and we shall support you. We believe in equality for every Kenyan,” he said.

Leaders concluded that only full, coordinated implementation of LAPSSET--including the port, highways, railway, oil pipeline, resort cities and airports--can deliver the transformation envisioned for Lamu, northern Kenya and the wider region.