The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has earmarked a total of nine infrastructural projects to be put up in five counties in the Financial Year 2023/2024 .
This is despite the government freezing all new projects to allow the completion of works commissioned during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's tenure.
Areas that will benefit from the new projects include; Garissa, Trans Nzoia, Wajir, Mandera and West Pokot Counties.
Notably, the projects will be largely financed by development partners with limited funding from the Government of Kenya.
The planned projects include the construction of the New Tana River Bridge and Approach Roads Along the Ukasi–Garissa–Modika (A3) Road in Garissa.
This is the only infrastructural project being undertaken by KeNHA in the 2023/2024 financial year that is being wholly funded by the government.
In Trans Nzoia and West Pokot Counties, KeNHA is upgrading the Kitale -Morpus A1 road.
The 80-kilometre stretch will be funded by the KfW Development Bank, European Investment Bank and the Kenyan government.
World Bank, which is Kenya’s largest lender is undertaking the rest of the projects located in Wajir, Garissa and Mandera counties.
Garrisa Town and Liboi Constituencies will benefit from the upgrading of the Madogo Trading Center- Garissa - Modika – Dadaab - Liboi – Harhar road which is 211 kilometres.
In Wajir County, the World Bank will further upgrade Wajir – Tarbaj (A13) Road and Tarbaj Spur Road (57 Km), Axle Load Control Station and Civil Works Associated With Installing a Fibre Optic Cable along the Samatar-Wajir-Tarbaj Road Section (124 Km).
In a project connecting Wajir and Mandera Counties, the World Bank will further finance the upgrading of the Tarbaj – Kotulo (A13) Road and Civil Works associated With Installing a Fibre Optic Cable along the Road Section (64 Km).
Additionally, Mandera will see four multimillion projects financed by the World Bank which include the construction of Gari-Rhamu and El wak-Gar roads.
Other projects in Mandera includei the Upgrading of Kotulo-Kobo Road (38km) and Civil Works associated with installing a Fibre Optic Cable along the Road Section and a similar upgrade of the Kobo-El Wak Road (26km) including El Wak Loop and Civil Works Associated With Installing a Fibre Optic Cable along the Road Section.
While the national government has frozen the initiation of new projects,Parliament can allocate funds for emergencies.
Additionally, Kenya is open to considering new projects on the condition that they be funded by development partners on concessional terms.
