Beyond the road: Unlocking the North

Photo:Courtesy

For pastoralists in northern Kenya, a road is more than a stretch of tarmac. It can mean reaching
a market in time, saving money on transport and getting livestock to buyers before drought strips
them of their value.

For a pastoralist, the journey from the grazing fields to the livestock market can determine
whether a family earns enough to eat, pays school fees or returns home with another season of
uncertainty.

In northern Kenya, where livestock is wealth, food security and a lifeline rolled into one, the
condition of the road matters almost as much as the condition of the animals.
When roads become difficult to navigate, moving livestock and goods can take longer and cost
more. Traders must contend with delays, transporters face difficult journeys, and pastoralists risk
losing valuable time as they search for buyers willing to pay a fair price.

For Hassan, a pastoralist from the Isiolo area, the dream is simple: a journey to market that does
not consume a significant share of what he hopes to earn.
“Sometimes, you look at your animals and know they are worth something, but getting them to
the right market is another struggle. You have to think about transport, the distance and whether
the buyer will offer you a good price. When the road is difficult, everything becomes harder,” he
says.
His words reflect a challenge familiar to many pastoral communities; owning livestock does not
automatically translate into financial security. The distance between an animal and a willing
buyer can make all the difference.

A better road could shorten that distance, improve access to markets and give pastoralists more
opportunities to compare prices. But the benefit would depend on more than the presence of
tarmac. Reliable transport, accessible livestock markets, fair trading practices and services that
support animal health would also matter.

Amina, is a mother of three, and a pastoralist from Wajir. According to her, the road represents
another possibility which is; greater economic opportunity for women whose contribution to
livestock-based livelihoods can be overlooked.

“Keeping livestock is not just about having animals. It is about making sure the family has food,
the children go to school and there is money when an emergency comes. If reaching buyers
becomes easier and veterinary services are closer, it could make a real difference to families like
ours,” she says.

For Abdi who is a livestock trader, the issue is the cost and uncertainty of moving animals and
goods between markets.

“When transport is expensive and journeys are unpredictable, you have to calculate every
shilling. Delays can affect your plans, and costs can reduce what remains after a sale. A reliable
road would help traders plan better and could make it easier to connect livestock from different
areas to buyers,” he says.

For traders, improved roads can potentially reduce travel times, make supply chains more
predictable and widen access to markets. Those changes may also benefit pastoralists if savings
are passed along through better prices or more reliable buying opportunities. But that outcome is
not automatic: transport costs, competition, market demand and the bargaining power of
livestock owners will all influence the final benefit.
These everyday concerns give significance to the ongoing development of the Isiolo–Mandera
regional road corridor.

Photo: Courtesy

In March 2026, the World Bank announced US$550 million in financing for two projects
intended to reduce transport and trade costs in northeastern Kenya and strengthen regional
connectivity. The wider corridor is planned to cover approximately 740 kilometres, with the
financing announced by the World Bank supporting the upgrading of 508 kilometres alongside
complementary financing arrangements.

Project documents also identify proposed livestock-market facilities at selected locations,
including market shades, milk coolers, slaughterhouses, veterinary posts and livestock holding
areas. If delivered, appropriately located and maintained, such facilities could help connect better
roads to the practical needs of livestock-dependent communities.

The importance of the Isiolo–Mandera road corridor extends beyond the machinery, construction
crews and kilometers of road taking shape. It lies in the possibilities the project presents for
communities whose livelihoods depend on livestock, trade and access to essential services.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has an important role in bringing this bigger
picture into public view. By highlighting the project’s significance, the expected improvements
in connectivity and its potential to support trade and economic activity, the authority helps the
public understand why the road matters beyond transport infrastructure.

For now, the road carries a promise. Through continued public communication, transparent
reporting on construction progress and engagement with affected communities, KeNHA ensures
that this promise remains visible and that the people waiting for its benefits remain part of the
conversation.

For families whose fortunes rise and fall with their herds, the hope is not simply to travel faster.
It is to make a sale without losing too much to transport, reach veterinary help before an animal's
condition worsens, and have more choices when drought or market uncertainty threatens their
income.

For the people whose lives depend on livestock, that is the journey that matters most.