Nairobi – After decades of stalled promises and dashed expectations, Kenya has finally broken ground on the Isiolo–Mandera Highway—an ambitious road project seen as key to unlocking the economic potential of the country’s marginalised north.
The 750-kilometre road, which will cost taxpayers more than KSh100 billion, is being built in phases, and will link a string of remote towns from Isiolo all the way to Mandera, near the border with Somalia. The stretch includes stops through Kula Mawe, Modogashe, Wajir, Tarbaj, Rhamu, and other towns that, until now, have remained largely disconnected from the national transport grid.
“This transport artery will turn around the economy of the Kenya of the North,” said Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who announced the project is officially underway. “It will also deal a massive blow to insecurity.”
Kindiki made the remarks during an unannounced inspection of construction work on the Kula Mawe–Isiolo segment, which spans 77 kilometres and carries a price tag of KSh8.3 billion. He called it a “flagship project” for the region’s transformation.
A Lifeline for a Neglected Region
The Isiolo–Mandera corridor has long been cited as one of the most neglected yet crucial routes in Kenya. The region, often hit by drought and conflict, has for years lagged behind in economic development.
Residents in counties like Wajir and Mandera have struggled with poor infrastructure, making it difficult to access healthcare, education, and markets. Transporting goods can take days, with vehicles often stuck in dusty or flooded roads, depending on the season.
For many, this project signals long-overdue attention.
“We’ve heard promises for years,” said Ahmed Abdi, a small trader in Wajir. “If the government truly follows through this time, it will change lives here. It’s not just a road. It’s hope.”
Strategic and Security Gains
The road is being divided into 11 sections and has already been assigned to seven contractors, a move officials say is aimed at ensuring speedy completion within two years.
Security is also a major concern in the north. The government hopes that the new road will allow for quicker movement of both people and law enforcement, making the area safer for residents and investors alike.
Kenya has struggled to contain militant threats and inter-clan clashes in its northeastern frontier. Better road access, some argue, could improve surveillance and emergency response times.
Financing and Accountability
The government has not yet provided a full breakdown of how the KSh100 billion project will be financed, nor the names of all contractors involved. Calls for transparency and public oversight are likely to grow as the work continues.
Experts say successful completion will depend on consistent funding, quality control, and community engagement.
“Infrastructure is more than tarmac. It’s about jobs, trust, and long-term planning,” said David Mwakha, a transport policy analyst based in Nairobi. “Kenya has had big projects stall before. This one needs to deliver.”
For now, the people of Northern Kenya are watching the bulldozers roll in not with blind faith, but with cautious optimism.
As one elder in Garissa put it: “We’ve waited long enough. Now, we just want to see it done right.”
