Panel Registers Request for Inspection of Kenya Transport Project

The Inspection Panel on January 17, 2019, issued a Notice of Registration for a Request for Inspection of the Transport Sector Support Project and its Additional Financing in Kenya.
 
The development objectives of the project and the additional financing are to: (a) increase the efficiency of road transport along the Northern Corridor and the Tanzania-Kenya-Sudan road corridor; (b) enhance aviation safety and security to meet international standards; and (c) improve the institutional arrangements and capacity in the transport sector; (d) restore the capacity of the international passenger terminal destroyed in a fire at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport; and (e) strengthen the capacity of Kenya Airports Authority in disaster preparedness and responsiveness at Kenyan airports. Project funding of US$300 million was approved on April 21, 2011, and additional financing of US$203.5 million was approved on March 26, 2014.
 
On December 17, 2018, three members of the project-affected community submitted a Request for Inspection and asked the Panel to keep their identities confidential. The Requesters’ concerns relate to impact from works on the Webuye-Kitale road section, in particular the Webuye flyover, which is financed by the project. The complaint raises concerns about environmental impact, health and safety issues, impact on livelihoods and inadequate working conditions as well as a lack of consultation and information disclosure.
 
The Panel’s registration implies no judgment concerning the merits of the Request. Bank management has 21 business days, until February 19, 2019, to provide the Panel with a response to the issues raised in the Request. More