African Development Bank gives Kenya Sh27.5 billion for upgrade of Isiolo-Mandera road
The road is part of the 740-kilometer Isiolo–Mandera Corridor, which is expected to boost regional trade and reduce transport costs in the northern region.
After an 18-month delay due to security concerns, the government has received Sh27.5 billion from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the construction of the 140-kilometer El Wak–Rhamu road.
The road is part of the 740-kilometer Isiolo–Mandera Corridor, which is expected to boost regional trade and reduce transport costs in the northern region.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Tuesday confirmed the receipt of the funds via a public notice.
"The Government of the Republic of Kenya has received financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fund the Multinational Horn of Africa Isiolo–Mandera Corridor: El Wak–Rhamu (A13) Road Upgrading Project," says KeNHA in a notice.
Initially scheduled to begin in August 2023, the project faced delays due to insecurity, primarily linked to threats from the Al-Shabaab militant group.
The AfDB noted that the "security situation in the project area is fluid," prompting the government to implement a security management plan to protect the entire corridor, not just the AfDB-financed section between El Wak and Rhamu.
Once completed, the Isiolo-Mandera Corridor will connect Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, with trade volumes among these nations projected to increase by 15 per cent from approximately Sh25.7 billion to Sh29.5 billion annually.
The road will also cut travel time from 4.7 to 3.2 hours and lower vehicle operating costs by Sh25 per kilometre, from Sh90 to Sh65.
In a related move, the government has announced a tender for the supply of vehicles for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Rapid Response Unit (RRU) in El Wak, Mandera County, as part of broader efforts to enhance security along the corridor and ensure smooth project implementation.
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