Stakeholders Successfully Complete Joint Northern Corridor Road Assessment Tour from Mombasa to Malaba/Busia

Nairobi, Kenya – From 14th to 18th April 2025, the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), in collaboration with TradeMark Africa, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the East African Community (EAC), and the Kenya Traffic Police Service, conducted a comprehensive corridor assessment tour along the Mombasa–Malaba/Busia road sections.

This joint exercise aimed to evaluate the current state of the corridor, identify and verify chokepoints and Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), and engage with users to propose practical solutions for improving the movement of goods from the Port of Mombasa to the Malaba and Busia border posts. The tour was prompted by stakeholder reports of delays, inefficiencies, and road safety concerns that hinder regional trade.

The joint assessment made the following key recommendations:

Enforce Lane Discipline: The Traffic Police were urged to strictly implement lane discipline, especially along the Mazeras–Mariakani section, currently under construction, to reduce traffic lock-ups and accidents.

Enhance Taveta/Holili Border Coordination: Collaborative efforts between agencies at the Taveta/Holili border need to be strengthened to fast-track border clearance processes and increase transit cargo volumes.

Widen Mai Mahiu Escarpment Road Section: Expanding the Mai Mahiu escarpment road section was recommended to enhance road capacity, ease congestion, and shorten transit times.

Upgrade Truck Stop Infrastructure: Upgrading infrastructure and providing amenities at key truck stops like Salga, Kikopey, Malili, and Manyatta was identified as essential for improving driver welfare and operational efficiency.

Redesign Malaba OSBP (Kenyan Side): A redesign of the Malaba One Stop Border Post (OSBP) on the Kenyan side was recommended to streamline traffic flow within the customs area. The Government of Kenya was also urged to complete the outbound road loop to connect with Uganda’s completed section.

Parking Facilities at Busia OSBP: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) was encouraged to develop dedicated parking facilities for trucks entering Kenya at the Busia OSBP to address congestion and delays.

This assessment tour highlights the continued commitment of NCTTCA and its partners to enhancing the efficiency and safety of the Northern Corridor. The findings and recommendations from this exercise will inform actionable strategies aimed at reducing trade barriers, improving transit times, and supporting regional economic growth.