This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
Published on August 23, 2019, the World Bank has committed to fund a 740km highway at a cost of Sh100 billion that will run through four counties — Isiolo, Meru, Wajir and Mandera.
The project, undertaken by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), will be undertaken in phases, with the first phase covering 356km and costing Sh50 billion, which has already been released by the World Bank.
Speaking in Meru, Bernard Parmaray, an official at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, noted that KeNHA has already finalised designs for the first phase of the project.
Mr Parmaray revealed that the ministry has signed an MoU with the four counties involved that binds them to lower construction costs for the project.
“When planning this project we realised that the cost of materials will go high especially when levies charged by counties are factored in,” said Parmaray.
“So we have agreed with the governors of the respective counties to waive levies for materials that are produced and transported within their domains,” he added.
The project also includes the laying of a fibre optic cable along the highway and the construction of social amenities along the road.
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi welcomed the project, saying it was a blessing to the county.
“It is a very important road for us given that it is going to open up the drier northern parts of Meru,” said Mr Kiraitu.
