Isiolo-Mandera highway, mega projects will transform region - DP Kindiki

The 750km highway, the largest single road project in Kenya’s history, is being built by 11 contractors.

by STEPHEN ASTARIKO

North-eastern25 August 2025 - 11:00

In Summary

The 750km highway, the largest single road project in Kenya’s history, is being built by 11 contractors.
In Wajir county, over Sh3 billion has been invested in electricity connections for 18,500 households.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said the ongoing mega infrastructure projects in Northeastern Kenya will be game changers for the region.

Speaking in Mandera town after inspecting the construction of the Sh100 billion Isiolo-Mandera highway, Kindiki said the project will open up the region to trade, investment, and deeper integration with the rest of the country.

The 750 km highway, the largest single road project in Kenya’s history, is being built by 11 different contractors due to its expansive scope.

“The highway will link previously marginalised areas with the rest of the country, supporting the movement of goods and services while accelerating regional development,” the Deputy President said.

In Lafey Town, Mandera county, Kindiki announced that residents will soon benefit from the first-ever bitumen-standard roads in the area. He also highlighted the government’s Market Infrastructure Programme, which is delivering 400 modern markets across the country.

On electricity access, Kindiki said the Last Mile Connectivity Programme is being expanded significantly. The government has allocated Sh155 million to connect 637 households in Lafey constituency and Sh78 million for 314 households in Mandera East. A total of Sh2.8 billion has been invested in rural electrification in Mandera county, including a Sh538 million hybrid power plant in Elwak town, now 90 per cent complete.

In Wajir county, over Sh3 billion has been invested in electricity connections for 18,500 households, alongside the construction of eight ESP markets and student hostels.

Kindiki also underscored government support for local Saccos and small businesses, particularly those run by women and the youth.

On the abolition of vetting procedures for residents of the region, the Deputy President said the move was deliberate to ensure all Kenyans are treated equally.

“We want all Kenyans to be treated the same, irrespective of where they come from. Whether you are from Coast, Western, Rift Valley, or Northeastern, everyone should be treated equally. No one should be discriminated,” Kindiki said.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan said the Deputy President’s visit signaled renewed commitment to addressing the unique challenges of the region while aligning local aspirations with the national agenda.

He lauded the government’s deliberate push for equitable transformation programmes designed to uplift marginalised areas. “By anchoring initiatives on inclusivity, fairness, and sustainable outcomes, the government has reaffirmed its resolve to bridge the gaps that have long hindered progress in arid and semi-arid lands,” Keynan said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The government's mega projects in Northeastern marks a bold attempt to address decades of marginalisation through infrastructure, energy, and market access. The Sh100 billion Isiolo-Mandera highway is central, promising to unlock trade routes and integrate the region into the national economy.

Coupled with electricity expansion and modern markets, the initiatives aim to shift livelihoods from subsistence to sustainable enterprise. However, effective delivery will be key—past projects in arid counties have often stalled due to corruption, insecurity, and poor planning.