National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr) Moses Wetang’ula says the government intends to set up a dry port at the Malaba border to enhance cross-country business with neighbouring States.
The revelation by Hon. Wetang’ula now signals a plan by the Kenya Kwanza administration to increase the number of dry ports in the country to two after the one that was put up by the former government in Naivasha.
Hon. Wetang’ula said the plan, when realised, will help spur economic activities in the Western region that has had a stagnated growth after suffering a fall in sugar production and other economic ventures.
Hon. Wetang’ula further revealed more plans to construct a duo carriage road in Malaba to boost the activities of the planned establishment of the dry port.
He said a duo carrier road will help ease the perennial snarl up challenge by trailers awaiting clearance with good destined to neighbouring countries.
“Plans are at an advance stage to construct a dry port at Malaba and a duo carriage road connecting to the border point to heighten investment and deal with the heavy traffic jam caused by trailers transporting goods to countries in the region,” said Hon Wetang’ula.
He added: “Malaba border has a huge economic potential as it serves Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda among other countries in the East African.”
A dry port, he said, will be key to stimulating the economy of the region.
The Speaker made the remarks at Our Lady of Lourdes Malaba Catholic Parish in Teso North Constituency, Busia County, where he led 12 MPs from the region in a funds drive to support completion of a modern church.
There are also plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba, and the latest developments would be key to opening up business activities when realised.
Hon. Wetang’ula explained that a dry port will help traders store their goods as they await clearance to transport to the markets in East African Community (EAC) member States.
He added that other benefits that will accompany the port include job creation, establishment of industries to cash on ready market and building of houses to satisfy demand for real estate.
Hon. Wetang’ula said he was aware of the challenges drivers of trailers who get stuck in a traffic jam were facing.
He noted that leaders from the region addressed the natter with president Dr William Ruto during his development tour of the region recently.
“We made the President aware of the plight of the truck drivers and loses incurred by traders dealing in transporting goods and he has committed to providing a lasting solution by constructing a duo carriage road and a dry port,” he explained.
While reacting to calls by the MPs who accompanied him not to relent on his efforts to unite the Luhyia community, Hon. Wetang’ula attributed the division among the community to their leaders.
“Our local people have always been united but it is the leaders who cause the division for their selfish political gains. This time round we will not allow this to happen,” said Wetang’ula.
The leaders under the Western MPs Caucus led by their chairman Hon John Waluke said they were ready to rally behind Hon Wetang’ula to help them ascend to presidency at the end of president Ruto’s tenure.
“We as MPs under the caucus subscribe to different political affiliations but we have agreed that Hon Wetang’ula is our choice in driving the political, social and economic agenda of the region,” said Hon. Waluke.
Other MPs who assured Hon Wetangula of their unwavering support during the meeting included Hon. Beatrice Elachi, Hon. Nabii Nabwera, Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe, Hon. Innocent Mugabe, Hon. Malulu Injendi, Hon. John Makali and the host Hon. Okuu Kaunya.
While acknowledging their support, Hon. Wetang’ula said: “We have other leaders but i am the one leading the park.”
“I will walk with courage and confidence because of your backing and I will not let you down,” he added.
The Speaker noted that when people are pursuing a common interest they must be united as he promised to reach out to other senior leaders in the region to join the fold for the good of the region.