Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has signed another deal to construct a new multi-billion highway estimated to be 740 kilometer long.
In a statement shared on Monday, March 15, the authority disclosed that it signed the deal with The Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) in the presence of a representative from the World Bank.
The new deal was aimed for the implementation of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP).
"The HoAGDP is part of the Government's plan to upgrade the 740-Km Isiolo - Mandera road corridor.
"It is the remaining unpaved section of the Nairobi - Isiolo - Madera road corridor. The implementation of the project is set to facilitate trade and transport for the Northern and North Eastern region," read the statement in part.
The event was attended by FCDC CEO Muhammed Guleid, KeNHA DG Peter Mundinia and World Bank Task Team Leader Josphat Sasia who set the pace for the implementation of the project.
HoAGDP is seeking to improve the movement of people and goods and digital connectivity and access to social services to communities at designated locations along the targeted sections of the Isiolo-Mandera Regional Road Corridor.
The project also aims at improving the capacity of selected transport related institutions in Kenya.
According to Mandera County Government, citizens are elated with the introduction of the project that will be upgraded to Bitumen standards.
The construction if two new bridges and customs border at Rhamu and Mandera and other trade facilities is also expected.
"With poverty levels in Northern Kenya being extremely high at 70%, compared to 45% national average, and this is largely due to 50 years of neglect by successive governments, the road will impact lives in ways never envisaged before.
"It will also harness dozens of opportunities for small scale entrepreneurs and the county governments who pay a fortune as transport costs to have goods and services delivered," read a statement from the website.
HoAGDP will also finance laying of a fibre optic cable along the entire 740-kilometre transport corridor.
