The Kenyan government is set to kick off the 140-kilometer El Wak-Rhamu Road Construction after securing $215 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB). Kenya confirmed the receipt of this funding while making an announcement for a tender for the supply of vehicles for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Rapid Response Unit (RRU) in El wak, Mandera County.
This information was revealed in a notice via MyGov on Tuesday, February 11. KENHA confirmed that the government had received funding for the road project, which was initially scheduled to commence last year.
Project Factsheet
Length: 142 kilometers.
Location: North-Eastern region of Kenya, connecting El Wak to Rhamu.
Funding: Approximately $215 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Objectives: Improve road transport services by reducing travel time and vehicle operating costs, enhance road traffic safety, and promote regional integration between Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
Components: Upgrading the existing road to bitumen standard, construction of town loop roads, flood mitigation measures, provision of a virtual axle load weighing station, and construction of access roads.
Expected Benefits: Increased trade, reduced transport costs, improved security, and enhanced economic opportunities for the local population.
Completion Date: Expected to be completed by June 2027
El Wak-Rhamu Road Construction Financier
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya has acquired funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance the Multinational Horn of Africa Isiolo-Mandera Corridor: El Wak-Rhamu (A13) Road Upgrading Project,” a part of the notice read.
AfDB is financing the project with about $215 million for the 740-kilometer road upgrade that covers the Isiolo-Mandera Corridor.
Challenges Facing the El Wak-Rhamu Road Construction Project
This project was initially planned to kick off in the year 2023 but faced security challenges that delayed its implementation. Recently, the region had experienced instability due to activities by the Al Shabaab militant group. This really posed a threat to the implementation of the project.
In response to curb this issue, the Kenyan government has implemented a security plan responding to the note of AfDB that required security to be looked into.
Significance of the Project
Upon completion, the 740-kilometer road will link Isiolo via El Wak to Mandera. This will enhance trade routes between Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
According to projections, there will be 15% increase in trade activities among the three nations. This will boost the annual trade volumes from around Ksh25.7 billion to Ksh29.5 billion.
Furthermore, the upgraded road will cut transit time from 4.7 hours to 3.2 hours. It will also cut vehicle operating costs per kilometer to Ksh65 from Ksh90.
Also read: Kenyan Company Awarded Madagascar’s Multi-Billion Dollar Antananarivo-Toamasina Road Project
