The National Assembly Committee on Transport and Infrastructure chaired by Hon. G.K George Kariuki, MP Ndia Constituency met with Cabinet Secretary of Roads and Transport, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, Mr. Mohamed Dhagar, and Eng. Joseph Mungai Mbugua, Principal Secretaries State Department for Transport and Roads.
Members of the Committee met with representatives from the Ministry of Transport to receive responses to Questions before the Committee.
Lamu East MP, Hon. Ruweida Obo, sort clarity regarding the measures being undertaken to develop marine transport in the country, particularly in Lamu County.
Mr. Murkomen in his response informed Members that the Ministry was guided by the Integrated National Transport Policy, Sessional Paper No.1 of 2012, which is currently under review to incorporate emerging trends in the transport sector. The Policy advocates for robust development of port/jetties/maritime infrastructure along the entire coastline and within the inland waters.
He further submitted that the State Department for Transport and Kenya Ports Authority in co-ordination with the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corrido Authority (LAPSSET) had first 3 berths, which are currently operational with plans to develop a cruise terminal in Lamu Port which will boost cruise tourism
The Committee on Transport and Infrastructure also sought a substantive response on the utilization of Eldoret International Airport for both passengers and cargo.
In his submissions, the Cabinet Secretary highlighted that only 2 of the 16 available 16 hangars are currently developed. He added that Kenya Airports Authority and the Fresh Produce Logistics Consortium were developing strategies to maximize use of the cargo facilities by encouraging clients to embrace the use of the airport to export their produce.
The meeting was further informed of the Ministry’s plans to expand the Eldoret Airport through extension of the runway which will allow bigger aircraft (B747F) to operate from the facility, provision of taxiway and runway shoulders for safety, expansion of the apron area by 12,800m2 to accommodate more aircraft and acquisition of an additional 19.74Ha of land for the development of hangar facilities.
During the meeting Ruiru MP, Hon. Simon King’ara, raised alarm on the increased number of accidents involving pedestrians crossing the Thika superhighway particularly, in Ruiru Constituency where numerous lives have been lost, to which the representatives of the Ministry assured the Committee that additional footbridges were planned for installation around Juja Highpoint Stage near Centurion Hotel, Juja Mona Park Area, and Clay works/Northlands Area.
In addition, the State Department on Roads have plans to sensitize the public and road users, installation of road signs and improved marking of road bumps. Fencing along the median of the Superhighway and constant maintenance and repair, monitoring and engaging public transport operators pick and drop at designated areas by highway patrols.
Documents before the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure further provided responses to Questions by Hon. Martha Wangari, Hon. Robert Basil and Hon. Wanjiku Muhia regarding the completion of roads in Gilgil Town, Yatta and Kipipiri Constituencies.
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