Kenol-Nyeri-Isiolo Dual Carriageway: The construction of the Kenol-Isiolo highway into a dual carriageway is set to start in June. This is according to a statement by Transport CS James Macharia.
The mega project has been a major political and development topic in the Mt Kenya Region, with residents and leaders feeling that the Uhuru presidency has neglected the region despite it being a key political home ground for Jubilee.
Currently, the mega project is at its design stage and will soon pave way for the tendering process.
“The project is at the design stage. We are done with the Kenol–Nyeri stretch and are working on the stretch to Isiolo,” says Macharia.
The dual carriageway is expected to open up the Northern Corridor connecting the Coast to northern Kenya and Ethiopia. Six counties will benefit directly from the project, which was initially valued at over Sh. 30 billion. These are Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Laikipia and Isiolo Counties.
“Looking at the project, it will cut through at least six or seven counties and that will be a major boost to the region. This is a priority project for the government,” Macharia said.
He is further reported as saying that once the designing of the Nyeri-Isiolo stretch is complete, bidding will commence to determine funds to be allocated.
“The actual cost will be determined once we do bidding. That will be around mid this year,” he said.
Already, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has marked out the road and started clearing out businesses set up on the proposed highway.
Investors have also started preparing for the expansion, setting up businesses like hotels and residential and commercial buildings.
