Longest, most expensive road project underway in Northern Kenya- DP Kindiki
The highway, stretching 794 kilometres, is being developed by 11 contractors working simultaneously across different sections of the corridor.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has hailed the construction of the Isiolo–Mandera highway as the most ambitious infrastructure project in Kenya’s history.
Prof. Kindiki, who spoke at a youth and women empowerment programme in Wajir on Saturday, described it as “the longest and most expensive road project ever undertaken in the country.”
"The ongoing construction of the 750km Isiolo-Mandera Highway at a cost of Sh100 billion, the largest single road project in Kenya’s history is a game changer in opening up the Northern Kenya Region for economic development and transformation," said the DP.
The highway, stretching 794 kilometres, is being developed by 11 contractors working simultaneously across different sections of the corridor.
Once completed, it will traverse Isiolo, Meru, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties, linking northern Kenya to the borders of Ethiopia and Somalia.
The project is part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project and is funded in part by a $750 million World Bank loan through the International Development Association (IDA).
The initiative aims to transform the arid northeast by opening up the region for economic development, improving regional connectivity, and enhancing security.
According to government officials, the road will drastically cut travel times, lower transport costs for businesses, improve access to markets for fresh produce, and facilitate trade with neighbouring countries.
It is also expected to boost cross-border movement of goods and people, reduce transportation bottlenecks, and unlock long-neglected economic opportunities for marginalised areas.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed that the project includes several auxiliary developments: construction of trade facilitation centres, One-Stop Border Posts, and accommodation facilities for Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) staff at Rhamu and Mandera.
Plans are also underway for virtual weighbridge stations at three sites along the corridor, as well as the installation of fibre optic cables on the Elwak–Mandera section to enhance internet connectivity and communication.
Security has been integrated into the project design, with a management plan tailored to address persistent threats such as banditry and cattle rustling, which have historically plagued the region.
“The Isiolo–Mandera road is more than just a road,” Deputy President Kindiki said.
“It is an economic lifeline for northern Kenya and a bridge to the wider Horn of Africa,” he added.
Upon completion, the highway is expected to become a game-changer for trade, regional integration, and security cooperation. This is aimed at cementing its place as one of Kenya’s most transformative infrastructure investments.
