Updated August 26, 2025: The Kenya National Highways Authority has announced its plans on how to allocate part of the Ksh27.5 billion for the construction of the Isiolo-Mandera highway. The state-owned entity aims to allocate the funds to consultancy services for a trade and transport facilitation study. In a notice, the Authority revealed it had received a loan from the African Development Bank. Furthermore, it noted that it intended to use part of the money to hire a consultancy firm for their services. The consultancy scope will entail aspects such as assessing traffic and trade flows.
Furthermore, the selected firm will collect baseline data along the route. They will also propose recommendations to improve trade facilitation along the Isiolo-Mandera corridor. Other advertised services include an analysis of non-tariff barriers. Moreover, institutional, policy and regulatory issues affecting the project will also be considered. “KeNHA, being the implementing agency of the Government of the Republic of Kenya, now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the above services,” the Authority announced.
Scope of Implementation of the Isiolo-Mandera Highway
As per the notice, the companies hired to undertake the services would be required to conduct the assignment within 12 months. However, they must first meet certain conditions to be eligible to work in Isiolo-Mandera highway project. One condition is that firm seeking to provide the services must have been registered for not less than eight years in various transport fields. These include transportation engineering, transportation economics, transportation planning, and the multilateral trading system. Similarly, the firm must demonstrate competence and experience in successfully delivering similar assignments in transportation engineering, transportation economics, transportation planning, and multilateral trade.
Similarly, the firm must demonstrate competence and experience in successfully delivering similar assignments in the outlined fields. KeNHA noted that the shortlisting and the selection procedure would be conducted in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations. Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form. The monumental project is part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project. It is a regional initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity within the countries in the Northern part of Kenya and its neighbors. These include countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia
August 10, 2025:
The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) announces changes on the construction of the 749-kilometer Isiolo-Mandera road project. The entity has revealed that the initial project procurement strategy has been updated. The updates reflect factors such as current market conditions, changes in contract packaging, and revised cost estimates. Moreover, KeNHA disclosed that the changes were necessary to include other activities. Those included are those not explicitly detailed in the original general procurement notice published before the road construction works began.
The updated procurement plan will now see the construction of additional bridges. It will also include approach roads, and other access road infrastructure at Rhamu and Mandera routes. Moreover, it will incorporate construction of trade facilitation centres, One-Stop Border Posts. A Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) staff accommodation units at Rhamu and Mandera will also be constructed. KeNHA will also undertake the construction of virtual weighbridge stations at three proposed sites. The project is part of the Elwak-Mogadashe road project.
The Significance of the Isiolo-Mandera Road Project
The 749-kilometre road project is part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project. This is a flagship regional initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity between Kenya and its neighbouring countries. These include two of its closest neighbors in this region, Ethiopia and Somalia. Its full construction commenced in May this year, with the construction expected to cost an estimated Ksh85 billion for the next three years. Upon its completion, the road is expected to enhance trade and economic integration across the North Eastern region of Kenya.
It will achieve this by investing in border infrastructure and related logistics support systems. The project also seeks to facilitate cross-border movement of goods and people. It will also reduce transportation costs and unlock economic opportunities for marginalized areas. Earlier last month, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured residents of the project’s completion by 2027. He noted this remarks during an inspection of the project at Kulamawe in Isiolo County, noting it will be done before the next general elections.
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Kenya announces tender for Isiolo-Mandera road project
Construction plans for US $841m Isiolo-Mandera road project in Kenya released
