Kenya Highways Authority (KeNHA) is seeking for an approval from NEMA before it begins its road construction project that will cost a massive Sh38 billion, an initiative funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The 250-kilometre Lamu-Garissa highway is the second largest component of the famous Lapsset transport corridor.
According to an audit report submitted by KeNHA to NEMA, the road will link the Lapsset corridor to other parts of the country.
“The road project will be a gateway to the Lapsset corridor that shall provide connectivity to other regions of Kenya through a railway line and highway,” the report said.
The highway is expected to have a two-way lanes with a width of 100 metres, but could in future be expanded further to four or six lanes. The proposed road is expected to past nearby wildlife sanctuaries.
However, the Highway agency has issued that it will erect eight animal crossings that will be built along the five larger wildlife and forest corridors to cater for the safety of wild animals.
Unlike the SGR project where the railway is highly elevated, allowing animals to pass below, this Lapsset case will have the animal passages running over the corridor.