Ali AwDoll
Garissa.
Northern Economic Development Initiative (NEDI) Coordinator Mohamed Simba Guleid has assured Kenyans that construction of the ambitious Isiolo–Mandera highway remains firmly on course, dismissing social media rumors suggesting major project delays.
Guleid’s reassurance came hours after online speculation claimed that the Modogashe–Habaswein–Wajir segment could be pushed to 2030 due to funding gaps and logistical challenges. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he reaffirmed that key procurement processes under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP) are “progressing steadily.”
“The section between Modogashe and Wajir is partly under procurement, and the remaining portion will also be procured soon,” Guleid stated.
“The other sections of the project are progressing well so far,” he added.
The HoAGDP, a World Bank–funded program covering roughly 750 kilometers, aims to connect northern Kenya’s pastoralist regions to major trade corridors, unlocking economic potential long hampered by poor infrastructure.
According to NEDI, the Isiolo–Modogashe section: a vital 205-kilometer stretch that includes the Garbatulla Town loop, has reached 45% completion, with earthworks up to 80% done in certain zones. Construction began on September 1, 2022, and is on schedule for handover by March 2026.
The project will upgrade gravel roads to modern bitumen standards while integrating fiber-optic infrastructure to boost digital connectivity.
Once complete, the route is expected to cut travel times dramatically, strengthen regional security through improved patrol mobility, and open new economic opportunities in livestock trade, tourism, and cross-border commerce.
Officials describe the highway as a flagship pledge by President William Ruto to northern Kenya, designed to bridge economic disparities and improve access to health, education, and markets.
The broader project aligns with Kenya’s LAPSSET (Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport) corridor, which seeks to integrate the country’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) into national and regional economies. Recent directives from the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) have fast-tracked land compensation, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and addressed bottlenecks such as insecurity and delayed procurement.
Guleid, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), has been a vocal champion of transparency, consistently sharing on-site progress updates and community feedback that highlight early gains such as improved mobility and reduced travel risks.
While the Modogashe–Wajir section has lagged, mainly due to the phasing out of an earlier annuity financing model, Guleid confirmed that new tenders including for the Samatar–Wajir sub-section are imminent. The move follows President Ruto’s December 2024 directive in Wajir to expedite the segment’s procurement, widely hailed as a breakthrough for the project’s inclusivity and completion targets.
Local leaders and residents have welcomed the reassurance, calling the highway a “game-changer” for communities facing climate stress and market isolation. As northern Kenya’s infrastructure landscape transforms, Guleid’s message underscores a broader vision: sustained investment not only in roads but in equity, resilience, and opportunity for the region’s inhabitants.