The government has now set plans to start building the 740-kilometer El Wak–Rhamu road after receiving funds from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
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KENHA to construct El Wak–Rhamu road
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) verified that the government had obtained funding for the project, which was originally anticipated to start last year, in a notice published via MyGov on Tuesday, February 11.
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya has received financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fund the Multinational Horn of Africa Isiolo–Mandera Corridor: El Wak–Rhamu (A13) Road Upgrading Project,” a part of notice read.
The 740-kilometer road upgrade project that spans the Isiolo-Mandera Corridor is being funded by the AfDB with roughly Ksh27.5 billion, or $215 million.
The project was originally scheduled to start in August 2023, but was delayed due to security issues.
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El Wak–Rhamu road construction
The project’s start has been significantly hampered by the insecurity of the area, which is mostly the result of Al-Shabaab militant activity.
The “security situation in the project area is fluid,” according to the AfDB, which means that a thorough security management strategy must be created.
To guarantee the safety of the entire corridor, not only the AfDB-financed portion between El Wak and Rhamu, the government has responded by putting such a strategy into action.
When finished, the 740-kilometer highway will improve trade routes between Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia by connecting Isiolo to Mandera via El Wak.
Trade between these countries is expected to grow by 15%, increasing yearly trade volumes from about Ksh25.7 billion to Ksh29.5 billion.
The improved road is also anticipated to cut vehicle operating costs by Ksh25 per kilometer, from Ksh90 to Ksh65, and transit time by roughly 1.5 hours, from 4.7 to 3.2 hours.
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