Garissa Leaders Urge State to Speed Up Completion of Isiolo–Wajir–Mandera Road
By Issa Hussein
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Garissa County leaders have called on the national government to fast-track the long-delayed Isiolo–Wajir–Mandera road, saying stalled works are slowing down development across the region. The appeal was led by Governor Nathif Jama during a meeting in Garissa town with representatives from Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s office.
Governor Jama said the road, which is funded by the World Bank under the North Eastern Development Initiative (NEDI), was designed to unlock economic potential in 24 marginalized counties. However, constant delays have undermined the project’s purpose. This road is critical for our region. Delayed completion is a major setback to achieving meaningful development, he said.
Garissa Township MP Dekow Barrow echoed the governor’s concerns, noting that an improved road network remains one of the top priorities for residents of Northern Kenya. He urged the government to confront the financial, administrative, and logistical barriers slowing down construction. We are frustrated as leaders, and it is time to deal with whatever is holding back this project, the MP said.
The meeting was attended by Senior Advisor at the International Development Partners Coordination Unit Jane Kiringai, and NEDI Regional Affairs Advisor Ibrahim Rashid. Discussions centered not only on the road project’s economic importance but also on broader development efforts in the region. The delegation reviewed progress of a two-year UNDP-funded initiative aimed at promoting peace and inclusive development in border counties.
The programme seeks to enhance collaboration between community members and security agencies, reinforce stability, and foster resilience along Kenya’s northeastern frontier. Officials from the Deputy President’s office reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting peacebuilding, improving connectivity, and ensuring that the road project fulfils its mandate of driving social and economic transformation across the region.