Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said Isiolo County is emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the ongoing national government projects, with billions of shillings being invested in infrastructure, housing, education and healthcare.
Kindiki told a meeting of more than 1,500 grassroots and community opinion leaders that the county is set to benefit greatly from the Sh100 billion Horn of Africa Gateway Road project, which covers 750 kilometres from Mandera through Rhamu, Garre, Elwak, Kotulo, Tarbaj, Wajir, Samatar, Modogashe, Garbatula, Kula Mawe and finally Isiolo Town.
He explained that the road would be complemented by the Sh28 billion Lamu Port–Ijara–Garissa–Isiolo highway, positioning Isiolo as a critical intersection for trade and investment in the region.
The Deputy President said the government was also making significant investments in the county through affordable housing projects, expansion of electricity connectivity, and the completion of a hybrid solar-diesel power plant in Merti, Isiolo South, to stabilize supply.
He further noted that the education sector would be strengthened through ongoing works at Garbatula Technical and Vocational Education Training Institute and the Kenya Medical Training College Isiolo campus, which are set to receive new student accommodation facilities.
On healthcare, Kindiki expressed concern over the low registration into the Taifa Care programme, pointing out that only 59,000 residents had enrolled against a target of 268,000.
He urged community health promoters, village elders, religious leaders and opinion shapers to mobilize residents to register in order to secure their right to quality healthcare.