PS for Roads Eng. Joseph Mbugua and PS for Interior Dr. Raymond Omollo held a high-level meeting to address infrastructure challenges in the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HOGDP) in Northern Kenya Region

The key focus for discussion was the stalled road projects, particularly in the North Eastern Region, where insecurity has caused significant delays in the implementation of the projects.

The meeting explored strategic interventions aimed at enhancing security and accelerating the implementation of these crucial projects.

His Excellency President William Ruto officially launched the construction works for the Lot 1 of the Isiolo-Kulamawe (A10/B84) road and Lot 2 Kulamawe-Modogashe (B84) road projects in Garbatulla, Isiolo County during his recent visit to the region. The 205km stretch of the road is a part of the 740km road project funded by the World Bank and is being implemented under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development project, under the supervision of the Kenya National Highways Authority(KeNHA). It is a transformative initiative enhancing connectivity in North Eastern Kenya and cross border access to Somalia and Ethiopia.

The road project stretch whose construction works were launched involved upgrading it to Bitumen standards and installation of 295km of fiber optic cable from Isiolo to Samatar, provision of bus bays, road furniture, and street lighting.

The entire project scope involves the upgrading to bitumen standards of 740km of roads and it traverses through Meru, Garissa, Isiolo, Wajir, and Mandera Counties, unlocking economic potential, improving trade and enhancing mobility.

Key stakeholders in attendance included the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, the Deputy Director General at the Asia and Pacific Directorate in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Jane Makori, and the Director General of KeNHA, Eng Kung’u Ndung’u