Govt rolls out new security plan to fast-track Isiolo–Mandera road
By Kiprono Keileb, January 23, 2026The government has moved to strengthen security along the Isiolo–Mandera Regional Road Corridor in a bid to keep construction going and ensure the strategic project is completed on time. The road, which cuts across northern Kenya, is expected to boost trade, improve the movement of people and goods, and enhance security in a region that has long struggled with poor infrastructure.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the project is a key part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project and carries both national and regional importance.
Speaking through a statement posted on X on Thursday, January 22, 2026, Chirchir said the road is central to opening up northern Kenya and linking it more closely to neighbouring countries.
Chirchir explained why the road matters to the region and the country at large. Chirchir pointed to its role in trade, connectivity and stability.
“The Isiolo–Mandera Regional Road Corridor, a part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, is crucial for enhancing regional trade, connectivity, and security in northern Kenya,” he wrote
The 740-kilometre road stretches through areas that have previously faced insecurity and difficult terrain, factors that have slowed development for decades. The government now says keeping construction teams safe is a priority if the project is to be delivered within the planned timelines.
Chirchir said the State has taken a coordinated approach by bringing together different agencies to address security concerns that could disrupt work along the corridor. He noted that the goal is to make sure construction continues without interruption, even in sections considered high risk.
Addressing the steps being taken to protect the project, Chirchir said security arrangements are being reviewed to support contractors and workers on the ground.
“The Government aims for the timely completion of the project, and we have convened a multi-agency meeting to review security arrangements, ensuring uninterrupted construction throughout the 740-kilometre corridor,” Chirchir wrote.
According to the CS, the meetings are not happening in isolation. They build on earlier engagements aimed at aligning development goals with security planning, especially in northern Kenya, where infrastructure projects often face unique challenges.
Chirchir said a follow-up meeting was held to focus on putting a new security plan into action while also looking beyond the road itself to the wider development of the region.
Giving details of the latest engagement, he said key ministries and security agencies were involved in shaping the next phase of implementation.
“Following earlier engagements, we held a follow-up meeting today with colleagues from the Interior Department and KDF, CS Kipchumba Murkomen, and CS SoipanTuya to discuss the implementation of a new security management plan and the promotion of sustainable development in the region,” he wrote.