President Uhuru Kenyatta today commissioned the Kshs 42 billion Isiolo-Moyale road which connects Kenya to Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa.
The Isiolo-Moyale highway is a key plank of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia (LAPSSET) Corridor Project.
The road project was implemented in three phases: 121 Km Merille River-Marsabit, 121 Km Marsabit-Turbi and 121 Km Turbi-Moyale.
Addressing residents in Moyale town, President Kenyatta said the commissioning of the new road and the Isiolo International Airport last Sunday will promote cross-border trade and lift the lives of Kenyans.
“There will no longer be challenges of traveling and even accessing markets for our goods and services. With this road and the Isiolo international airport, Kenyans are sure of improving their economy,” said President Kenyatta.
He added: “As you have heard, it used to take three days to travel from here to Isiolo and Nairobi, now it takes only hours.”
The President, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, said the Jubilee Administration also implementing the Lamu port project which will be completed by next year.
He said once complete the Government will launch the construction of Lamu-Garissa-Isiolo road which will open up the second transport corridor in Kenya.
“With the opening up of this road, Moyale will become a market centre for Kenyan goods and services. Our brothers from Ethiopia will be coming here to purchase goods from us,” said President Kenyatta.
“Once all these projects are complete, Moyale residents will not be waking up saying they are going to Kenya. Rather they will enjoy all services like other Kenyan citizens,” he added.
Coupled with the planned resort city of Isiolo as well as the Isiolo International Airport, the Isiolo-Moyale road will significantly boost security and tourism in Northern Kenya.