Trade between Kenya and South Sudan is set to surge following the launch of trade facilitation centres in Kainuk, Lodwar, and Kakuma. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has unveiled these strategic hubs to streamline trade along the Northern Corridor, a vital artery linking Kenya to South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
Designed to fast-track cargo movement, enhance compliance, and unlock new business opportunities in Turkana County, these centres position Kenya as a stronger regional trade powerhouse. Additionally, they will ease congestion at the Malaba and Busia border posts while drastically slashing transit times for goods travelling from Mombasa to South Sudan.
KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga hailed the initiative as a transformative leap for regional commerce. “These facilities are a game-changer for trade across East Africa. By bringing KRA services closer to the people, we are not only expanding our footprint in Turkana but also securing the seamless movement of goods along the South Sudan link road,” he stated at the launch.
Mr. Wattanga further emphasized that beyond trade, the initiative strengthens border security and fosters a conducive business environment. “This is a major milestone in facilitating cross-border trade while protecting society at large. It’s about efficiency, security, and economic empowerment,” he added.
The centres, an integral part of the LAPSSET Corridor Program, will house KRA’s Rapid Response Unit and Enforcement teams, ensuring goods move securely and efficiently along the Northern Corridor. By combating challenges like cargo theft, smuggling, and illegal dumping, the facilities will offer traders much-needed protection against common risks along the route.
Dr. Lilian Nyawanda, KRA’s Commissioner for Customs & Border Control, stressed that the centres are designed to support legitimate trade while providing critical services to local communities. “These hubs will facilitate trade, ensure compliance, and provide direct access for cargo destined for South Sudan,” she said. She noted that Turkana was strategically chosen as a gateway to South Sudan, with the new facilities smoothing the movement of goods and people along the Lokichar-Nadapal-Nakodok route.
Dr. Nyawanda also expressed appreciation for the local community’s support in setting up the centres, adding that they would include shared amenities as part of KRA’s Corporate Social Investment initiative.
For traders, the new centres spell relief. Previously, they had to travel long distances to access KRA services, driving up operational costs. With these new hubs in place, services are now within reach, cutting mobility expenses and making trade more efficient.
The impact extends beyond convenience. The facilities will also reinforce Kenya’s fight against illicit trade along the corridor, where smugglers have long exploited porous borders to traffic contraband and counterfeit goods while dodging taxes. For KRA, the centres translate to reduced enforcement costs, as officers will no longer need to be dispatched from Eldoret for inspections.
Looking ahead, KRA plans to establish additional border points along the corridor to further boost trade, revenue collection, and economic opportunities. The move is expected to tighten control over porous borders, minimizing revenue losses linked to illegal trade.
These trade facilitation centres form part of the Eastern Africa Regional Transport, Trade, and Development Facilitation Project (EARTTDFP), backed by the World Bank. As key operational hubs for customs, they underscore KRA’s commitment to seamless trade facilitation and robust compliance enforcement in the region.
With these centres in place, Kenya is not just enhancing trade with South Sudan—it is reinforcing its role as a gateway for commerce across East Africa.
This article was published by Githua Kihara, an editorial consultant for FEAFFA’s Freight Logistics Magazine. For any inquiries, please contact us via email at editorial@feaffa.com or freightlogistics@feaffa.com, or reach out to Andrew Onionga directly at onionga@feaffa.com / +254733780240.
