When the government announced its move to beef up security along the Isiolo–Mandera Regional Road Corridor in a bid to keep construction going and ensure the strategic project is completed on time, hope and relief was loud in northern Kenya more than any other part of the country.
This is because Isiolo-Mandera Road, once completed is expected to boost trade, improve the movement of people and goods, and enhance security in a region that has long struggled with poor infrastructure.
The road, that is described as a key part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project carries both national and regional importance.
Roads and Transport CS Davis Chirchir explained why the road matters to the region and the country at large. Chirchir pointed to its role in trade, connectivity and stability.
“The Isiolo–Mandera Regional Road Corridor, a part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, is crucial for enhancing regional trade, connectivity, and security in northern Kenya,” he wrote
“Following earlier engagements, we held a follow-up meeting today with colleagues from the Interior Department and KDF, CS Kipchumba Murkomen, and CS SoipanTuya to discuss the implementation of a new security management plan and the promotion of sustainable development in the region,” he wrote.
The Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) Chaiperson Ali Roba, who is Mandera Senator is optimistic that the road will change the fortunes of the region.
The FCDC is a regional economic bloc composed of the County Governments of Lamu, Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Turkana, Samburu and West Pokot.
“When completed, the project is envisaged as one that will bring to an end the discussion of marginalization in the North as well as the single most transformative investment any government in that region for over 100 years. It will be an opportunity to improve Kenya’s strong economic performance which should translate into shared prosperity and a strategy to reduce poverty across the Northern Kenya region,” said Roba.
The road project came courtesy of a successful negotiation by the Government of Kenya with the World Bank for a credit facility of KShs 81billion or (US$ 750 million) to finance the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP)a section of 395 Kilometres road from Isiolo to Mandera.
The project will also be significant in upgrading to bitumen standards the 190 kilometres Isiolo-Modogashe Road and the 175-kilometres Wajir-Elwak road sections, construction of two new bridges and customs border at Rhamu and Mandera and other trade facilities. The urban areas along the road corridor will also get an upgrade of up to 30 kilometres of bitumen standard roads.
Equally packaged with the transformative road project is a 740 kilometre fibre optic cable from Isiolo to Mandera which will improve internet connectivity and digital opportunities plus an additional 200KM fibre optic connectivity within the centers
According to Roba, with poverty levels in Northern Kenya being extremely high at 70%, compared to 45% national average, and this is largely due to 50 years of neglect by successive governments, the road will impact lives in ways never envisaged before and will harness dozens of opportunities for small scale entrepreneurs and the county governments who pay a fortune as transport costs to have goods and services delivered.
