KITALE, Kenya, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Public transport driver John Naibei still remembers the grind of traveling from Suam on the Kenya-Uganda border to the northwestern Kenyan town of Kitale, before a Chinese firm rehabilitated the 45-km highway linking the two countries.
After around five hours on the road, a dusty Nissan loaded with four bags of fresh onions would finally pull into a service station. Before unloading the produce, the passengers would step out and brush thick layers of dust from their clothes.
For years, Naibei struggled with the highway's poor condition. Frequent breakdowns and soaring maintenance costs eventually forced him to take one of his two public service vehicles off the road.
"Most public service vehicle operators withdrew from the route because it was difficult to keep their vehicles running due to frequent breakdowns," Naibei said.
Dan Wekesa, a former transport operator, recalled the same challenge. "We barely made any profit because most of our earnings went to maintaining our vehicles," said Wekesa.
Those difficulties, however, are now a thing of the past following the rehabilitation of the highway by China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
The upgraded highway has significantly improved transport connectivity in northwestern Kenya. Beyond facilitating travel between Kenya and Uganda, it has revitalized trading centers along the border corridor.
Once-neglected markets have been transformed into bustling commercial hubs, with agricultural trade, retail businesses, and other economic activities flourishing, bringing renewed hope to communities that had long struggled with poverty.
"Nobody was interested in land along the highway because investment returns were low. But now land prices have surged," said Sammy Adambo, an entrepreneur.
Residents said a journey that once took about five hours now takes less than an hour, enabling transport operators to make more trips and significantly increase their incomes.
Michael Kibet is among the operators who have resumed services on the route. Since the highway was upgraded, he said, his transport business has been thriving.
The improved road has also revitalized border trade between Kenya and Uganda after years of disruption caused by poor infrastructure.
Local traders say cross-border commerce has rebounded strongly, creating new economic opportunities across much of northwestern Kenya.
"Sourcing goods from Uganda used to be difficult and frustrating. Transport costs were high and left us with little profit, but not anymore," said Peter Kamau, a fashion designer.
According to the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Kenya previously lost more than 100,000 U.S. dollars annually because of the deteriorated condition of the road.
Titus Kilongi, chairman of the KNCCI's Trans-Nzoia chapter, said the poor condition of the highway had long been the biggest obstacle to unlocking the area's cross-border trade potential.
"The business environment has changed. The road has boosted cross-border trade," Kilongi added.
