Construction work on six one-stop border posts (OSBPs) between Kenya and its neighbouring countries is to be completed before the end of the year.

According to Kenya’s Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Eng John Mosonik, work on the OSBPs is over 70 per cent complete and some of the posts are expected to start operations by December.

Mr Mosonik said the projects, which are meant to ease clearance of goods and people at the border crossing points, have in the past delayed due to the challenges associated with high cost of land acquisition and resettlement of affected entities.

It, for instance, took the government at least a year to carry out land acquisition to give way for the setting up of the Namanga one-stop border post on Kenya’s southern point with Tanzania.

The six projects which are in the final stages of development include the Lunga Lunga border (85 per cent complete), Isebania (79 per cent complete), Busia (70 per cent complete), Malaba (75 per cent complete), Taveta (80 per cent complete) and Namanga (75 per cent complete).

“We have set the target for completion of the Namanga border post by December this year. We also have Lunga Lunga and Taita Taveta border posts which will be completed within the next three months,” Mr Mosonik said.

Construction of a one-stop border post at Moyale is set for commencement following the signing of a bilateral agreement with Ethiopia.

READ: Bilateral agreements to fast-track one-stop border posts

“The projects are aimed at easing movement of cross border cargo and passengers amongst the East African countries,” he said. 

Trade facilitation at border points has been affected by how hard or easy it is to clear goods and people at border crossing points.

In East Africa, border crossing times are a major constraint for smooth trade flow, both for regional trade and for international transit. Delays at borders disrupt efficient trade logistics, impacting on the transport costs and prices and ultimately on trade competitiveness.

In order to improve the efficiency of border crossings, the East African Community resolved to convert the main border crossings into one-stop-border posts. This meant that all agencies from the two sides of the border coordinate their customs procedures, thereby reducing clearance time.

Major roads projects linking the OSBPs are currently being undertaken. They include the 42km Voi-Mwatate-Wundanyi, which is 65 per cent complete and the Malindi-Mombasa-Lunga Lunga section, for which procurement of contractors for civil works is ongoing, which will link the posts with Tanzania.