
Funding worth $215 million from the World Bank (WB) will help pay for a key road project in Kenya. Improving the 740km B9 route linking El Wak with Rhamu in Northern Kenya will help boost the economy of this comparatively poor area of the country. The African Development Fund (ADF) has also provided funds to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to help improve the road and boost safety on the route.
The work will form part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP). This will boost transport for Northern Kenya and improve the international transport links with neighbouring Ethiopia and Somalia. Rhamu lies on the border between Kenya and Ethiopia to the north, while El Wak is close to Kenya’s border with Somalia. The work will help improve transport and trade on the strategic Isiolo – Mandera Corridor.