Kenya’s Suam border project stalls as Uganda readies for operations
The completed Uganda One Stop Border Post already operational at the Suam Kenya-Uganda border.
The construction of the Suam One Stop Border Custom Point (OSBP) on the Kenya-Uganda border has been stalled for months, even as Uganda's similar facility, which started construction later, has become operational.
No work is being done at the site and there is no sign of completion of the project, which was due to be completed in 2022, just before President Uhuru Kenyatta leaves office.
The Suam border post is a bilateral project agreement between Kenya and Uganda that was reached in 2019 during the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, following financial support from the African Development Bank (AFDB).
Construction delays
The AFDB pumped a total of Sh4.5 billion into the Kitale-Suam International Highway and a further Sh100 million into the OSBP project. This was facilitated by the agreement signed by Mr Kenyatta and Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni at a meeting in Mombasa in 2019.
The completed Uganda One Stop Border Post already operational at the Suam Kenya-Uganda border.
However, it has faced unexplained implementation problems and residents are now asking questions about the continued delay in its completion.
While the current government had promised to fast-track its completion and official inauguration, a site visit revealed a stark contrast with the OSPB on the Ugandan side, which is already completed and operational.
Funding challenges
During an inspection tour on January 7, Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki admitted that the bilateral project had faced implementation challenges and that the government was working fast to complete it to boost business between Kenya and its neighbour Uganda.
A senior government official told Nation.Africa that funding was the main challenge.
On the ground, an official overseeing the project said the contractor was yet to be paid his outstanding bills but noted that discussions were ongoing to ensure that funds were released to facilitate completion.
Picture shows Kenya's stalled one-stop border post at Suam border. When Nation.Africa visited on Saturday, March 29, 2025, there was no work going on at the facility as it remains unattended.
The hiccup has affected the completion of a section of the Kitale-Endebess road in Kitale town, affecting traffic in Kitale town.
At the same time, environmentalists have called for a thorough environmental impact assessment before land is cleared from the Suam forest to expand the border project.
"We want a proper impact assessment and public participation so that local people can understand the decision to take part of the forest for the project," said David Walala, director of Community for Change.
This comes after Prof Kindiki announced during his visit in January that the government was planning to carve out 50 acres of land from Suam forest to develop a border town and housing project to accommodate government offices and staff who will be stationed at the one-stop border post.
The DP said President William Ruto had already issued a directive to relevant departments to expedite the demarcation of the land and completion of the project.
The business community at the Suam border and residents living along the border, led by David Ndiema and Jacob Maina, have called on the government to honour its promise and complete the project to improve the working environment and boost their investment opportunities at the border.
"This project is far from being completed and we have not been informed of the challenges it is facing. Our counterparts in Uganda have already completed theirs, although they started late. If anyone has misappropriated the funds, they should be dealt with," said Mr Ndiema.
"We are calling on President William Ruto to crack the whip on those who have messed up this project because we suspect money has been embezzled, leaving the contractor stranded," said Mr Peter Wafula, a trader.