Isiolo–Mandera Road to Be Completed on Time, Government Assures

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the 740-kilometre Isiolo–Mandera road on schedule, citing enhanced security measures and strong inter-agency coordination to support uninterrupted construction.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government is keen to ensure that all sections of the strategic road corridor are implemented concurrently and without disruption. The project is part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project and is expected to transform northern Kenya by improving connectivity, boosting regional trade and enhancing security.

Murkomen spoke during a high-level multi-agency meeting with Cabinet Secretaries Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport) and Soipan Tuya (Defence), convened to review security arrangements along the entire corridor.

“The government wishes to reassure our development partners and contractors that security measures on the ground have been significantly bolstered,” Murkomen said. “Adequate resources have been deployed to guarantee the safety of personnel and equipment along the entire corridor.”

He added that the Ministry of Interior will continue engaging regional leaders and conducting field visits to ensure that all required security protocols are fully in place and effectively implemented.

Defence CS Soipan Tuya emphasized that sustained security support and close coordination among government agencies are critical to the success of the project.

Similarly, Roads and Transport CS Davis Chirchir assured contractors that work can proceed without fear of disruption, noting that the security situation along the corridor is stable.

“Contractors can now resume work. The prevailing security situation is well managed, and the government will continue to provide the necessary protection as project implementation progresses,” Chirchir said.

The meeting was attended by several senior government officials, including Principal Secretaries Dr. Raymond Omollo (Internal Security and National Administration), Dr. Patrick Mariru (Defence), and Eng. Joseph Mbugua (Roads), as well as Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, Principal Administrative Secretary for Internal Security Jacob Narengo, and the General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, Major General Luka Kutto.

The Isiolo–Mandera road is seen as a key infrastructure project that will open up northern Kenya, strengthen cross-border trade with Ethiopia and Somalia, and improve access to essential services in historically marginalized regions.