Nairobi, Kenya – President William Ruto has doubled down on his commitment to developing Northern Kenya, promising to deliver the long-awaited Isiolo-Mandera road and unveiling a groundbreaking KSh 10 billion Off-Grid Solar Access Project to boost energy access in the region.
Speaking at a recent event, Ruto dismissed doubts about the Isiolo-Mandera road project, saying, “I made an announcement of the road between Isiolo and Mandera, and many people think it’s a joke. I promise, I’m committed to completing that road.” The project, a crucial part of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, aims to improve trade, security, and connectivity in a region long plagued by neglect.
In a major step toward bridging infrastructure gaps, Ruto also launched the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project, a KSh 10 billion initiative targeting 14 counties, including Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Narok, Samburu, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, and West Pokot. The project, backed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, will provide mini-grid and stand-alone solar systems to expand electricity coverage in remote and underserved areas.
“This project deepens access to affordable energy, powering the growth of enterprises and expanding economic opportunities for all. It furthers our goal of universal electricity coverage by 2030 and a 100 per cent transition to clean energy,” Ruto stated during the contract signing in Nairobi.
The dual push for road infrastructure and energy access signals Ruto’s determination to unlock Northern Kenya’s economic potential. While his promise on the Isiolo-Mandera road is met with skepticism, the solar project has been welcomed as a tangible step toward reducing energy poverty and driving sustainable development.
With billions now earmarked for transformative projects, will Northern Kenya finally get the development it has long been promised? Channel 15 News will keep you updated.
