Murkomen meets World Bank team over roads financing

Transport and Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has on Monday held talks with representatives from the World Bank.

A dispatch from Murkomen's office said the discussions centered on matters of mutual interest including the ongoing construction of the highway linking Kenya to South Sudan.

The construction of the Isiolo-Mandera highway linking Kenya to Ethiopia and Somalia was also discussed.

Upon completion  the road will transform transport in the North Eastern and North Western.

The World Bank bank delegation was led by Wendy Hughes, Regional Director for Infrastructure for Eastern and Southern Africa, and Almud Weitz -World Bank Practice Manager for Transport.

There was also a team from South Sudan's Ministry of Roads and Bridges led by Eng. James Alam.

"We also discussed ways of improving urban mobility by offering mass rapid transit options and facilities for non-motorized traffic in Nairobi and other major towns across Kenya to enable faster, cheaper, efficient and safe travel," Murkomen said.

The parties also explored ways of supporting development of infrastructure for rural mobility to ensure effective and reliable last mile connectivity to the national highway network.

Areas of cooperation in the provision of infrastructure that is resilient to the adverse impacts of climate change and the seamless integration of ICT in the development of road infrastructure were also canvassed.

"I thank the World Bank for their longstanding partnership in the roads and transport sectors and look forward to the successful completion of the ongoing projects and the development of new initiatives that will support micro, small, and medium enterprises as well as regional trade," the CS said.