By Samuel Ouma
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday inspected the ongoing construction of the new Shs 40 billion ($353.5 million) offshore Kipevu Oil Terminal at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya’s coast.
The President was accompanied on the inspection tour of the mega project, which is currently 96% complete, by visiting the Chinese State Counsellor and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi.
The 770m jetty, fully funded by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), is the largest of its kind in Africa, with the capacity to load and offload enormous vessels of up to 200,000 DWT carrying all categories of petroleum products, including crude oil, white oils and LPG.
The Kenyan head of state said the new offshore Kipevu Oil Terminal, which is 96% complete, will enhance the supply and cost stability of petroleum products in Kenya and the region.
Speaking at the end of the inspection, he hailed Kenya’s partnership with China, saying it has generated numerous development projects.
“Kenya’s partnership had helped deliver key development projects including the offshore jetty, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) among others,” read part of the statement from the State House.
At the same time, he lauded China for continuing to open up its expansive market to Kenyan exports.
