Plans to hive off 50 acres of land from Suam Forest to pave way for construction of a border town and staff quarters at Suam One Stop Border Point in Trans Nzoia County are at an advanced stage.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki revealed this on Tuesday when he visited the border post to assess it’s progress.
Hiving off of the 50 acres follows a Presidential directive mid last year.
Addressing the press, Kindiki said that the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) will avail the land to facilitate construction of the border town.
Importance of Suam border post expansion
This is a very important facility and once it is complete, it will upscale our trading relations between our two countries, it will improve the economy of this area.
It will also expand this area because we anticipate as is the expectation that the land that we are acquiring to build houses for the officers and staff will be big enough to allow the emerging of a border town,” Kindiki said.
Meanwhile, the DP who was making his inaugural tour to Trans Nzoia fired a warning shot to lazy contractors working on various government projects.
“There are contractors who have been paid but they have not done what they are required to do. We will take action on the spot. Those who want to go to court, they can proceed to court as we operationalize the programmes and projects that need to be operationalized. We are not afraid of whatever consequences,” he stated.
The second in command further said the joint Suam One Stop Boarder Post project between Kenya and Uganda will promote trading between the two countries once it is complete and commissioned by President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni.
“The project has registered some success but there is still some work to be done. Also there are some outstanding issues raised by some stakeholders and these issues are going to be expedited to give for commissioning of the project,” Kindiki added.
Construction of the multi-billion border post financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) started in 2020.
It also includes upgrade of 45-kilometre Kitale-Suam Road.
The Ugandan side of the border post is almost compete.
Residents of Suam led by Chepchoina ward Member of County Assembly Peter Chakali called on the government to ensure that the project is completed in good time to allow them do business with ease.
“While we appreciate the progess so far, we would like to see this border point up and running. We want our people to get value for this project,” Chakali said.
