Kenya and Uganda consider upgrading the Lwakhakha border station

In an effort to reduce traffic at Malaba and Busia, plans are in place to modernize the Lwakhakha border post between Kenya and Uganda.

In order to relieve traffic at the Busia and Malaba posts, the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) will be built, and immigration officers from both nations will be stationed there together with other important institutions.

The goal of turning the Lwakhakha border into an OSBP is to expedite the customs process, shorten the time it takes for cars and products to be cleared, and improve coordination between border officials in Kenya and Uganda.

It is anticipated that the upgrading will enhance cross-border security, increase trade along the Northern Corridor, and decrease traffic from the Malaba and Busia OSBPs.

During the visit to the border post, Mr. Godfrey Enzama, the principal civil engineer at the EAC Secretariat, spoke on behalf of Ms. Veronica Nduva, the EAC secretary, and stated that the EAC is collaborating closely with pertinent parties to guarantee the Lwakhakha border upgrading project is implemented successfully.

“Part of the 256km feasibility study of the project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) is the upgrading of the Lwakhakha border post into an OSBP,” stated Eng Enzama.

The economic feasibility of converting the current single-carriageway transnational highway sections to highway standards will be ascertained through the $1.4 million feasibility study project supported by the AfDB.

Several problems, including traffic at Busia and Malaba, will be resolved by elevating the Lwakhakha to an OSBP and rerouting certain trucks there. This will also provide a quicker and more direct path via the Northern Corridor.

According to Eng Enzama, “Lwakhakha is a shorter route to Kenya geographically compared to Busia and Malaba in terms of mileage.”

“This cooperative endeavor highlights the common goal of advancing border security, trade facilitation, and regional integration in East Africa.”

Building the OSBP at the Lwakhakha border is expected to improve trade and commerce conditions, which would eventually help enterprises and communities on both sides of the border.

In order to increase capacity and accommodate current and projected future local and cross-border traffic volumes along the corridor, the project will involve upgrading the existing 25 km Lwakhakha – Kimaeti road on the Webuye – Malaba (Kenyan side) and the 45 km Mbale (Bumbobi) – Lwakhakha Road (Uganda side) to a two-lane, two-way single carriageway status, with wide shoulders.

The road will provide an alternate route to the border crossings at Busia and Malaba, and it is anticipated to strengthen regional integration and cross-border trade between Kenya and Uganda. It is also anticipated that the road will boost tourism.