The Suam–Endebess–Kitale–Eldoret Road, is a rural road in Kenya. The road links Suam, in Trans-Nzoia County, to the towns of Endebess, Kitale, and Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County.[1][2]
| Suam–Endebess–Kitale–Eldoret Road | |
|---|---|
| Route information | |
| Length | 48 mi (77 km) |
| History | Designated in 2018 Completed in 2021 (Expected) |
| Major junctions | |
| Northwest end | Suam |
| Endebess Kitale | |
| Southeast end | Eldoret |
| Location | |
| Country | Kenya |
| Highway system | |
Location
editThe road starts at Suam, at the international border with Uganda and proceeds in a southeasterly direction, through Endebess, to end at Kitale, a total distance of about 45 kilometres (28 mi).[3] The work includes building a bypass around the city of Eldoret,[4] and the dualing of the road section between Kitale and Matisi.[5]
Overview
editThis road, together with the Ugandan road that connects to it, the Kapchorwa–Suam Road, form an important transport corridor between the two countries, sometimes referred to as the Kapchorwa–Suam–Endebess–Kitale–Eldoret Road Corridor. Both people and goods move along this corridor, with Ugandans buying fuel, fertilizer, and maize seeds from Kenya and Kenyans buying bananas, sugar, electric power and rental accommodation from Uganda.[6][7]
Updating to bitumen surface
editThe governments of Kenya and Uganda though the Kenya National Highways Authority and the Uganda National Roads Authority are seeking funds from the African Development Bank to improve the road along with the Kapchorwa–Suam Road on the Ugandan side, to grade II bituminous surface with shoulders and culverts. Some parts of this road are already tarmacked. However a new bypass around the town of Eldoret is part of the planned upgrade. The contract distance on this road is 76 kilometres (47 mi).[6][7]
In August 2018, William Ruto, the deputy president of Kenya, and Yoweri Museveni, the president of Uganda, officially jointly kick-started the rehabilitation and improvement of this road, and the contiguous Kapchorwa–Suam Road. The projected cost estimate is US$147.3 million, financed by loans from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and African Development Fund (AfDF) and counterpart funding by the Government of Kenya. The improvement to the 77 kilometres (48 mi) road, is expected to last 30 months.[8][9] As of March 2024, construction was still ongoing.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Bwayo, Philip (17 October 2014). "Kenya, Uganda in joint road tarmacking project". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ Wamalwa, Nicholas (19 June 2015). "Trans Nzoia to build dual carriage road". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ Globefeed.com (22 August 2018). "Distance between Suam Border Control Kenya and Kitale, Kenya". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ Kenya News Agency (18 August 2017). "Road project to enhance regional trade". Nairobi: Kenya News Agency. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ Baraza, James (18 August 2018). "Chinese firm to start work on KSh4.5 billion Kitale–Uganda road". Nairobi: Construction Kenya. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ a b Murumba, Stellar (30 December 2015). "Kenya, Uganda seek transport corridor funds with eye on trade". The EastAfrican. Kampala. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ a b AfDB (22 December 2015). "Multinational: Uganda/Kenya: Kapchorwa–Suam–Endebess–Kitale–Eldoret Bypass Roads: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)" (PDF). Abidjan: African Development Bank (AfDB). Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ Monitor Reporter (19 August 2018). "Museveni, Kenya's DP Ruto flag off Kapchorwa-Suam road project works". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ Gwambe, Tracy (19 August 2018). "Museveni, Ruto Commission Kapchorwa-Suam Road". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ Ken Muthomi (3 March 2024). "Completion Of Kitale-Endebess-Suam Road To Boost Trade Between Kenya, Uganda". 98.4 Capital FM. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 10 March 2024.