Work Underway on Sh84bn Isiolo-Mandera Highway

The long-awaited expansion of the 750km Isiolo-Mandera road is set to begin shortly, following the release of significant funding for the project by the World Bank.

The road, which will be built at a cost of Sh83.7 billion, is expected to improve security in the North East and enhance connectivity between Horn of Africa countries, thus facilitating regional trade.

The Isiolo-Mandera road traverses Isiolo, Meru, Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera counties—areas notorious for deadly banditry attacks and the smuggling of drugs and contraband goods.

Known as the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, the road is part of the Lapsset Corridor project, which aims to transform Isiolo town into a resort city.

In a public notice on Tuesday, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed the receipt of World Bank funding for the project, which is slated for completion in 2027.

Documents from the World Bank reveal that Kenya is set to receive a credit of $750 million (approximately Sh96.75 billion) from the International Development Association.

The Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project is expected to receive a total of $150 million (Sh19.35 billion) this year.

“The Government of the Republic of Kenya has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services,” KeNHA stated.

The project will be financed by the World Bank, which is the lead financier, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), and a consortium of five Arab banks.

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The Isiolo-Mandera highway is expected to improve security and reduce travel time from Isiolo to Mandera from 96 hours to just 12 hours, significantly lowering commodity prices in the North Eastern region.

This will be achieved by upgrading the existing road to bitumen standards, according to KeNHA. The project is divided into six segments to facilitate easier construction management and secure financial backing.

The Isiolo-Mandera road is expected to boost trade and development along the Isiolo-Wajir-Mandera section of the Mombasa-Garissa-Wajir-Mandera-Mogadishu road corridor, while also connecting the region to information and communication technologies.

“The road connection is seen as a key catalyst for integrating the northern frontier into the Kenyan economy and an essential link in the international road network between Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia,” KeNHA added.

The project is not expected to drastically disrupt local communities, as most of the road corridor, which is 60 metres wide, is public land. However, encroachments in some settlements will require displacement.

Land acquisition for civil works could result in physical land loss and economic impacts on livelihoods. However, KeNHA notes that a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) has been developed for areas where displacement will occur.

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