New road to connect Kenya with South Sudan

Plans are in hand for work to construct a new road to connect the newly independent South Sudan with Kenya. This 930km road will run from Eldoret in Kenya to Juba in South Sudan and is expected to cost in the region of US$1.06 billion. The 590km section running through Kenya between Elderet and Nadapal will cost in the region of $585 million while the 340km section between Nadapal and Juba in South Sudan will cost some $415 million. There will be additional costs to connect the road with existing infrastructure in Eldoret and Juba, as well as smaller ancillary works. The construction schedule calls for the work to commence in 2014 but this will be reliant on sufficient funding being secured. At present three consultancy firms are engaged on designing the link, which will be a single carriage road. Once the new road is complete it will help boost trade and transport, which is of particular importance to South Sudan’s economy although it will also be of benefit to Kenya.