The government has secured Ksh71.5 billion (US$550 million) in additional financing from the World Bank to accelerate completion of the Isiolo–Mandera Regional Road Corridor (B9), one of the country’s largest ongoing infrastructure projects.

The funding package approved by the board of the lender includes Ksh33.5 billion (US$260 million) to finance the second stage of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP II) and Ksh37.5 billion (US$290 million) to finance the ongoing programme, which indicates that Kenya is using external credit to fund major transport projects.

Roads Principal Secretary Eng Joseph Mbugua announced that the financing will open stalled portions of the 740-kilometre corridor, especially the Modogashe-Samatar and Rhamu-Mandera, which have experienced delays. He observed that the project is currently being completed at 54.29 per cent and that the project works are now being spread across 11 contract packages and contractors, which are currently being remobilised following previous cash flow constraints.

In addition to building roads, the corridor will upgrade more than 365 kilometres of roads to bitumen standards and contain 50 kilometres of feeder and urban roads. It will also support a 740-kilometre fibre optic backbone as part of the Kenya digital superhighway plan to expand internet access in underserved areas in the north.

“It will also deliver a 740-kilometre fibre optic backbone as part of Kenya’s Digital Superhighway initiative, expanding high-speed internet access to underserved regions,” Mbugua noted

The project also involves a one-stop border post at Rhamu and Mandera to facilitate trade with Ethiopia and Somalia and social infrastructure like schools, health centres, water facilities and livestock markets.

When fully developed, the corridor is projected to reduce travel time between Isiolo and Mandera by 96 hours to approximately 48 hours, reduce transport costs and improve market access by pastoralist communities.

Gaps in financing and implementation

Nevertheless, major problems are shunned. Although the new funding is likely to unfreeze the stalled sections, the project has already experienced delays that can be attributed to the cash flow constraints, with concerns over cost overruns and changing of schedules. The dependency on external borrowing also burdens the already increasing public debt in Kenya, even as the officials are projecting good returns in the economy.

Also, there is little information given on accountability mechanisms, procurement transparency and how the government intends to see to it that all the 11 contract packages are delivered on time.

Persistent security risks

In some areas of the corridor, security challenges remain evident, especially in northern Kenya, posing risks to workers, equipment, and overall project schedules. Despite the government reporting that there are multi-agency teams in place, on the ground, reality is one of the critical factors that may slow the pace.

The project is also being undertaken by various agencies, including the Kenya National Highways Authority, ICT Authority, National Transport and Safety Authority and Kenya Revenue Authority, which indicates its complexity and coordination requirements.

It further forms a crucial nexus to the broader Nairobi-Isiolo-Mandera transport corridor under the Horn of Africa Initiative, making it a strategic transport route to regional integration.

Still, despite the government’s optimism, concerns about delays, cost management, and whether the projected benefits will be fully realised for communities in Northern Kenya remain.