The World Bank said the 740‑kilometre Isiolo‑Mandera road corridor has reached 60 percent physical completion, moving the project toward its 2030 delivery goal.

Country Director Qimiao Fan disclosed the update during an inspection visit to Isiolo, calling the corridor transformational for Kenya’s North Eastern region.

The bank is committing a total of KSh 168.2 billion (US$1.3 billion) through the International Development Association, the largest single World Bank investment in Kenya.

In March 2026 the World Bank Board approved an additional KSh 71.1 billion (US$550 million) for the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project and a second phase of the corridor.

Physical progress rose from 54.29 percent in April 2026 to 60 percent by November 2026 after contractor remobilisation and extra funding for the Modogashe‑Samatar and Rhamu‑Mandera sections.

Infrastructure and socio‑economic components

A 740‑kilometre fibre‑optic backbone will run alongside the highway, extending Kenya’s Digital Superhighway to schools, hospitals, businesses and government offices in underserved areas.

The World Bank component includes 87 socio‑economic projects such as water facilities, health centres, schools and livestock markets, plus one‑stop border posts at Rhamu and Mandera to ease trade with Ethiopia and Somalia.

Principal Secretary for Roads Joseph Mbugua said the completed corridor will cut travel time between Isiolo and Mandera from roughly 96 hours to about 48 hours, and reduce the Nairobi‑to‑Mandera journey from three days to one day, lowering transport costs for livestock and agricultural produce.

The project is expected to benefit an estimated 4.5 million people across northern Kenya, with job creation already reported in communities along the route.

Security challenges and timeline adjustment

Security challenges in certain sections have led the government to deploy multi‑agency teams to protect personnel and equipment.

The original completion deadline of January 2028 was extended to 2030 to ensure full funding and implementation coverage for all sections.

Principal Secretary Mbugua confirmed contractors have been fully remobilised after improved cash flow and that funding for the remaining sections is now secured, clearing the path to the revised deadline.