Ethio-Kenya border trade point to open in Marsabit

Addis Ababa, February 10, 2020 (FBC) –Kenya is finalising plans to establish another border entry point in Marsabit County in addition to the Moyale one-stop border point to facilitate trade and free movement of people with Ethiopia.

The idea, which was significantly supported and endorsed by the county government of Marsabit, also seeks to control diseases and stem smuggling along the porous border.

Kenya’s Border Management Secretariat Director Kennedy Nyaiyo said the government has plans to open up 26 new points of entry and exit with its neighbours out of which five would be along the border with Ethiopia.

“Our 897-kilometer border stretch with Ethiopia is served by only one border point at Moyale which cannot adequately take care of the huge trade potential that exists,” said Nyaiyo.

The director said the government, which has a free trade agreement with Ethiopia was exploring the potential that areas like Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera and Turkana on the over 800 kilometres stretch, with the aim of developing them into one-stop border points.

Nyaiyo added that the prospective for growth in economic, security and infrastructure scopes was great besides boosting the revenue base for both levels of government the cost of doing business would be minimized.

Source: The Standard