lowereas
Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki has underscored Isiolo County’s strategic position as a hub of infrastructure, energy, housing, and healthcare investments under the national government’s ongoing development agenda.
Speaking after a consultative meeting with more than 1,500 grassroots and community opinion leaders from Isiolo, the Deputy President said the county stands out as a major beneficiary of large-scale projects designed to spur growth and unlock the region’s economic potential.
At the heart of these developments is the Sh100 billion Horn of Africa Gateway Road project, a 750-kilometre corridor linking Mandera, Rhamu, Garre, Elwak, Kobo, Kotulo, Tarbaj, Wajir, Samatar, Modogashe, Garba Tula, Kula Mawe, and Isiolo Town. According to Professor Kindiki, the road will open up new trade and investment opportunities, positioning Isiolo as a key intersection for commerce in the region.
The transformative infrastructure is further reinforced by the Sh28 billion Lamu Port–Ijara–Garissa–Isiolo Road, which will seamlessly integrate with the Gateway project to create new economic lifelines across northern Kenya.
Professor Kindiki also revealed that housing and energy projects are well underway. The Affordable Housing programme, valued at Sh1.3 billion, is in the pipeline, while last-mile electricity connectivity worth Sh712 million will connect an additional 3,000 households. In addition, a Sh360 million solar-diesel hybrid power plant in Merti, Isiolo South, has already been completed to stabilise electricity supply in the county.
The Deputy President further noted that education and health facilities are receiving significant support. The Garbatula TVET Institute is set to benefit from a Sh340 million investment in new student accommodation, while the Kenya Medical Training Centre (KMTC) Isiolo Campus will receive 780 hostel units at a cost of Sh378 million.
On healthcare, Professor Kindiki expressed concern over the low uptake of Taifa Care, the national health insurance programme. Only 59,000 residents have registered against a target population of 268,000, representing a modest 21 percent.
He called upon Community Health Promoters, village elders, religious leaders, and other local influencers to spearhead mass registration, stressing that universal access to health insurance was essential for ensuring every Kenyan’s right to quality healthcare.
The Deputy President also urged Isiolo residents to embrace peace, unity, and diversity, adding that cohesion was crucial to sustaining the county’s transformation and maximising the benefits of the ongoing projects.
ENDS///…
