Isiolo–Mandera Road

Isiolo–Mandera Road, is a road in Kenya. It is a major transport route linking north-central Kenya to Kenya's northeast. The counties that the road traverses are generally arid, and have hitherto been undeserved. This road project is the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in northeastern Kenya since the country became independent in 1963.

Location
The road starts in the town of Isiolo and proceeds in a northeasterly direction through the towns of Garba Tula, Mado Gashi, Habaswein, Wajir, Tarba, El Wak and Rhamu, to end at Mandera, a total distance of approximately 748 km. The road traverses Isiolo County, Wajir County and Mandera County.

Overview
This major transport corridor has been in poor physical condition, since Kenya became independent in 1963. The government of Kenya, with financial backing by the World Bank, plans to upgrade the gravel-surface road to class II bitumen standard, with culverts and drainage channels. As of February 2020, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), has divided the road into nine sections, each to be tendered separately. It is estimated that the entire 750 km project, will cost in excess of KSh85 billion (approx. US$856 million).

Intersections
These are the major intersections along this road: The Lamu–Garissa–Isiolo Road at Mado Gashi. Intersections with planned roads include the Isiolo-Lokichar Road at Isiolo and the Isiolo-Moyale Road also at Isiolo.

Funding
In September 2020, the World Bank lent KSh81.3 billion (US$756.3 million) to the government of Kenya towards the tarmacking of this road to class II bitumen standard, with culverts, drainage channels and shoulders. The World Bank loan will be sufficient to fund the tarmacking 365 km of the 748 km Isiolo–Mandera Regional Road Corridor and 30 km of spur roads. The remaining 383 km will be tarmacked with funding from other development partners.