World Bank Discloses Progress of Major Road Project Expected to Benefit 4.5 Million Kenyans

The World Bank has announced that construction of the 740-kilometre Isiolo-Mandera Road, has reached 60% completion, with the multi-billion-shilling project expected to be delivered by 2030.

World Bank Country Director Qimiao Fan shared the update during an inspection visit to Isiolo, where he assessed progress on the major infrastructure project.

The road corridor is one of the institution’s biggest undertakings in Kenya, with a total investment of KSh 168.2 billion, equivalent to approximately USD 1.3 billion.

The funding makes the Isiolo-Mandera Road the World Bank’s single largest investment in the country to date.

Fan noted that the project was already delivering benefits to communities along the route, particularly through employment opportunities created during construction.

The ongoing works have provided jobs for local residents, giving communities an opportunity to earn an income while contributing to the development of the road network.

Once completed, the highway is expected to improve transport connections between Isiolo and Mandera, opening up parts of northern Kenya that have faced infrastructure challenges for years.

The 740-kilometre corridor is also expected to make it easier for residents, traders and businesses to move people and goods across the region.

For communities along the route, improved road access could reduce travel difficulties and support the movement of agricultural produce and other commodities to larger markets.

The project is particularly significant for northern Kenya, where poor road networks have often made transportation expensive and difficult, especially during rainy seasons.

Better connectivity is also expected to support access to essential services, including healthcare and education, by making it easier for residents to reach facilities in neighbouring towns.

The World Bank’s latest update indicates that construction is progressing towards the 2030 delivery target, although further work remains before the entire corridor can be opened for use.

The project forms part of wider efforts to improve infrastructure and economic opportunities in underserved areas of the country.

Its completion is expected to strengthen links between communities, encourage trade and improve access to markets across northern Kenya.

With construction now at 60%, attention will remain on maintaining the pace of work to ensure the project meets its planned completion timeline.

LINK; https://www.tuko.co.ke/business-economy/645295-world-bank-give-update-completion-s-biggest-project-investment-kenya/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR–yJaRPCM7jCSqmKE7YIHziGFCHP-Nu38tiww-iBcogd3AkELgAW91hVQEqQ_aem_6cAQSU3JvhuXcZjNp2sEWg