Rhe government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the 740-kilometre Isiolo–Mandera road on schedule, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.
CS Murkomen noted that the regional road corridor, being implemented under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, is a key infrastructure initiative expected to unlock the economic potential of northern Kenya. He said the road will enhance regional trade, strengthen connectivity within the region, and significantly improve security along the corridor.
The Cabinet Secretary made the remarks during a high-level, multi-agency consultation involving Cabinet Secretaries Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport) and Soipan Tuya (Defence).
The meeting reviewed security arrangements put in place to ensure that construction across all sections of the more than 740-kilometre corridor proceeds concurrently and without disruption.
“We wish to reassure our development partners and contractors that security measures on the ground have been significantly bolstered and that adequate resources have been deployed to guarantee the safety of personnel and equipment along the entire corridor,” CS Murkomen said.
He added that the Ministry of Interior will continue engaging leaders from the affected regions and conducting field visits to confirm that all required security protocols are fully in place and effectively implemented.
Defence CS Soipan Tuya emphasized the importance of strong inter-agency coordination, saying sustained security support remains critical to the successful implementation of the project.
On his part, Roads and Transport CS Davis Chirchir said contractors have been cleared to resume work, citing a stable and well-managed security situation. “We assure contractors of continued government support and protection as project implementation progresses,” he said.
Several senior government officials attended the meeting, including Principal Secretaries Dr. Raymond Omollo (Internal Security and National Administration), Dr. Patrick Mariru (Defence), and Eng. Joseph Mbugua (Roads). Also present were Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, Principal Administrative Secretary for Internal Security Jacob Narengo, and the General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, Major General Luka Kutto, among others.
The Isiolo–Mandera road is expected to play a critical role in boosting economic integration and improving access to essential services in northern Kenya once completed.
