KeNHA Receives AfDB Funding for El Wak – Rhamu Road Upgrading After Delays

The government is set to commence the construction of the 140-kilometer El Wak–Rhamu road after securing funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Kenya confirmed receipt of the funding while announcing a tender for the supply of vehicles for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Rapid Response Unit (RRU) in El Wak, Mandera County.

In a notice issued via MyGov on Tuesday, February 11, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed that the government had received financing for the project, which was initially expected to begin last year.

“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,” reads part of the notice.

The AfDB is funding the project with approximately Ksh27.5 billion (about $215 million) for the 740-kilometer road upgrade covering the Isiolo-Mandera Corridor.

Initially slated to commence in August 2023, the project faced security challenges that delayed its implementation.

The region’s instability, primarily due to activities by the Al-Shabaab militant group, has been a major obstacle to the project’s initiation.

The AfDB noted that the “security situation in the project area is fluid,” necessitating the development of a comprehensive security management plan.

In response, the government has implemented such a plan to ensure the safety of the entire corridor, not just the AfDB-financed section between El Wak and Rhamu.

Once completed, the 740-kilometer highway will connect Isiolo through El Wak to Mandera, enhancing trade routes between Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

Projections estimate a 15 per cent increase in trade among these nations, boosting annual trade volumes from approximately Ksh25.7 billion to Ksh29.5 billion.

Additionally, the upgraded road is expected to reduce transit time by about 1.5 hours—from 4.7 to 3.2 hours—and decrease vehicle operating costs by Ksh25 per kilometer, from Ksh90 to Ksh65.