Validation exercise for the Isiolo-Modogashe road begins

Inspection and validation exercise of settlements affected along the Isiolo-Modogashe corridor has begun ahead of the compensation.

Chief validation and Taxation officer Isabel Njeru on Friday said phase One of the exercise has been finalised and awaiting verification and approval.

Areas which fall under the exercise include Ngaremara, Kachuru, Gambela, Kulamawe and Yaqbarsadi.

The project is part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Road Project which is aimed to improve the connectivity between Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia by upgrading the bitumen standard of the existing road.

Isiolo leaders led by Deputy Governor James Lowasa insisted that residents from the county must benefit from the project.

"Isiolo must reap maximum benefit through; sub-contracting, provision of supplies, bush clearing, provision of murram and small bridge work," he said during the meeting.

Other who were present were County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding, Woman representative Mumina Bonaya, Isiolo North MP Samal Lomwa, County Secretary Dadhe Boru and CEC  for Road Yussuf Dhahir.

The leaders also called on KeNHA to put in place measures to ensure that locals were given first priority during the recruitment exercise.

Among the projects earmarked for construction include; the construction of the Modogashe mega water project, and the upgrading of the Garbatulla health facility and maternity wing.

Also, upgrading Modogashe health centre, expansion of Sericho day secondary school, expansion of the Boji borehole and construction of the borehole at Checheles among others.

The objective of the project is to improve the connectivity between Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia by upgrading the bitumen standard of the existing road.

It will help increase the mobility of people and goods and improve digital connectivity. 

This project will also reduce the region's fibre connectivity issues by laying fibre optics along the road.

Improved access to social services in communities along the targeted sections of the Isiolo-Mandera Regional Road Corridor. 

KeNHA will oversee the construction and completion of the 748 km project deemed a major gamechanger in the North Eastern Region.

The whole project will be implemented in four packages with the first being the Isiolo–Kulamawe–Modogashe.

This will involve groundbreaking for the construction of the first two segments of the road (Isiolo-Kula Mawe-Kula Mawe- Madogashe), a distance of about 200kms.

Then the second package will be the Modogashe – Samatar – Wajir road project.

The third phase will be the Wajir – Tarbaj – Kutulo – Elwak.

The final phase will be the Elwak–Rhamu–Mandera which will mark the conclusion