PROJECT: Kenya has a acquired  $750 million (Sh81.3 bilion) from the World Bank to help finance projects in the North Eastern region.

The funds are meant to improve the movement of people and goods, digital connectivity and access to social services for over 3.2 million in the region.

Through Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP), the bank will finance the upgrading of 365km of the 740km Isiolo-Mandera Regional Road Corridor and 30km of spur roads, while the upgrading of the remaining sections will be financed by other development partners.

Josphat Sasia, transport specialist and task team leader with the bank, said the potential of north eastern Kenya as a transit and regional trade facilitation zone is presently not fully exploited.

Enhance security

“The transformative project will integrate the region and enhance security, inclusion, and a sense of equity, which communities living in this underserved region of Kenya have desired for a long time,” he added.

 HoAGDP will also finance the laying of a fibre optic cable along the entire 740-km corridor, create trade facilitation measures such as border management systems and construction of border posts.

It will also fund provision of basic socio-economic infrastructure for communities living along the corridor as well as emergency response measures in case of a disaster or catastrophe during the life of the project.

“Promoting equal opportunities across the country and linkages in the subregion will strengthen Kenya’s transformation from a low middle income to a middle-income country by 2030,” said Keith Hansen, World Bank Country Director for Kenya.