A10 Road | |
---|---|
Route information | |
Maintained by Kenya National Highways Authority | |
Major junctions | |
North end | Lokichar |
South end | Lamu |
Location | |
Country | Kenya |
Highway system | |
The A10 road is a road in Kenya stretching a diagonal trajectory from Lokichar in the northwest to the port city of Lamu in the southeast, covering a planned distance of 970 kilometers. Currently, the route is in various stages of development, with certain sections yet to be constructed. As a key development axis, the A10 has the potential to play a role in connecting disparate regions and fostering economic growth. However, its full realization requires further infrastructure development to complete the envisioned route. [1]
The A10 is a proposed upgrade to a network of road connections, which, as of 2020, consisted largely of underdeveloped dirt roads, with several sections missing and others merely consisting of desert tracks. Only limited portions had been paved, including a short stretch from Isiolo and a section between Kinyang and Loruk. The envisioned route will span from the A1 near Lokichar, traversing the Rift Valley and northern Kenya's deserts, to the coastal town of Lamu on the Indian Ocean. Notably, the route intersects with the A2 at Isiolo, a critical juncture, and crosses the A3 at Garissa. The terminus in Lamu also marks the endpoint of the A7 coastal road, highlighting the A10's potential as a vital link in Kenya's transportation infrastructure. [1] [2]
The A10 road is being developed as part of the Lamu Port and Lamu-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing regional connectivity. Although initial feasibility studies date back to 1975, it wasn't until 2008 that a detailed study was undertaken to develop a new deep-sea port in Lamu and establish a transport corridor linking Kenya to Sudan, with the scope later expanded to include the newly independent nation of South Sudan. The project seeks to foster economic growth and facilitate trade across the region. [1] [3] [4]
The project includes several elements:
The majority of the A10 route currently consists of unpaved dirt roads, dirt paths, and sandy tracks. However, some limited progress has been made in upgrading the road. Around 2012, a brief 4-kilometer stretch was paved, connecting the A2 highway in Isiolo to the east. Nevertheless, as of 2021, further development of this project had not commenced. Additionally, a 30-kilometer section between Nginyang and Loruk, formerly designated as the B4, was asphalted around 2017, marking a minor improvement in the road's overall condition. Despite these incremental upgrades, the route remains largely underdeveloped.
In 2016, the A10 designation was introduced as part of a comprehensive renumbering effort. This new classification encompassed a combination of existing roads and proposed connections, some of which were still in the planning stages or under construction at the time. The A10 route was thereby established, incorporating a mix of already-built infrastructure and envisioned links, with the aim of creating a cohesive and interconnected transportation network. [2]
The A10 was routed over the following roads:
Lamu or Lamu Town is a small town on Lamu Island, which in turn is a part of the Lamu Archipelago in Kenya. Situated 341 kilometres (212 mi) by road northeast of Mombasa that ends at Mokowe Jetty, from where the sea channel has to be crossed to reach Lamu Island. It is the headquarter of Lamu County and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Cape to Cairo Railway was an unfinished project to create a railway line crossing from southern to northern Africa. It would have been the largest, and most important, railway of the continent. It was planned as a link between Cape Town in South Africa and Port Said in Egypt.
Isiolo is a town in Isiolo County, of which it is the capital. It is located in the upper eastern region of Kenya and is geographically considered the center of the country Kenya. It lies 285 kilometers north of the capital Nairobi. The town grew around the local military camps. Much of the population consists of Somali, Borana and Ameru community. The town has an estimated population of 78,250, most of them living around the outskirts of the town. Like most African cities, there has been a steady increase in the urban population in recent years, especially moving from as far as Moyale, Marsabit and Mandera. Isiolo town is also becoming a centre of interest because of its newly acquired status as a resort city cashing in on the popular Samburu and Shaba Game reserves, which have become preferred destinations after the famed Maasai Mara. Isiolo lies along the long A2 Road, leading towards Marsabit and Moyale much further north.
Lamu County is a county in Kenya located along the North Coast of the country and is one of the six Coastal Counties in Kenya. Its capital is the town of Lamu. It borders Tana River County to the southwest, Garissa County to the north, Somalia to the northeast, and the Indian Ocean to the South.
Lamu Island is a port, city, and island just off the shore of Kenya in the Indian Ocean approximately 150 miles from Mombasa. It is a part of the East African country of Kenya. Lamu was founded in the 12th century. Lamu is one of the longest-established and best-preserved remaining settlements of the Swahili tradition in east Africa that remains today. The island has continually been inhabited for over seven hundred years, and continues to be an important center in eastern Africa.
Railway stations in Kenya include:
Railway stations in Uganda include:
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Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor project, also known as Lamu corridor is a transport and infrastructure project in Kenya that, when complete, will be the country's second transport corridor. Kenya's other transport corridor is the Northern Corridor, which links Mombasa to Uganda, passing through Nairobi and much of the Northern Rift. Some basic LAPSSET infrastructure has been built. The construction of LAPSSET's main components is currently ongoing with construction of the first berth at Lamu Port completed in October 2019.. Although the project is not formally stalled, its short to medium term success looks increasingly unlikely. Insecurity and political instability in Kenya are mostly to blame for this, as are more commercially viable alternative pipeline options through Tanzania or Ethiopia. The low oil prices since 2015 also affect LAPSSET's commercial prospects.
Ethiopia–Kenya relations are bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Kenya. The two nations maintain primarily trade ties.
The Garissa–Nuno–Modogashe–Wajir Road is a road in Kenya, connecting the towns of Garissa, Nuno, Modogashe and Wajir.
Garsen–Witu–Lamu Highway is a road, under construction in Kenya, connecting the towns of Garsen,Witu and Lamu.
Kenya Crude Oil Pipeline, also Lokichar–Lamu Crude Oil Pipeline, is a proposed crude-oil pipeline in Kenya. The pipeline will originate in the oil-rich South Lokichar Basin, near the town of Lokichar, in northwest Kenya to end at Port Lamu, on the Indian Ocean. The route will remain as originally planned in the Uganda–Kenya Crude Oil Pipeline, in August 2015. The route, was proposed by Toyota Tsusho, the consultant selected by the two governments of that now-abandoned project.
Lamu–Garissa–Isiolo Road, is a road in Kenya, and is part of the Lamu-Garissa-Isiolo-Lokichar Road, which itself is a component of the Lamu Port and Lamu-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) Project.
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The Isiolo–Moyale Road is a road section of the A2 Road in Kenya, connecting the towns of Isiolo, Archers Post, Marsabit, and Moyale. The road is a component of the Lamu Port and Lamu-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) Project. It connects Kenya to Ethiopia, its neighbor to the north.
Isiolo–Mandera Road, is a road in Kenya. It is a major transport route linking north-central Kenya to Kenya's northeast. The counties that the road traverses are generally arid, and have hitherto been undeserved. This road project is the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in northeastern Kenya since the country became independent in 1963.
The Nairobi-Addis Ababa Railway is an upcoming Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya and Ethiopia under the LAPSSET project. Conceptualized in 1975, LAPSSET was launched in 2009 under President Mwai Kibaki as part of Kenya's Vision 2030. It is also part of the East African Railway Masterplan.
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