By Ahmed Salat Ali | AARAN TV KE Political Affairs
WAJIR- A sweeping infrastructure plan targeting key road networks across Wajir County is poised to transform the region’s economic landscape, raising fresh hopes of long-awaited development in one of Kenya’s historically marginalized counties.
Documents from the Ministry of Roads and Transport and road agencies outline a series of proposed and priority road upgrades aimed at improving connectivity within Wajir and linking the county to major transport corridors. The plan comes as preparations intensify for the national Madaraka Day celebrations scheduled to be hosted in Wajir in 2026.
According to an official communication from the State Department of Roads, the government has directed key implementing agencies — including the Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya Rural Roads Authority, and the Kenya Roads Board — to fast-track several projects considered critical to the county’s infrastructure growth.
Roads Seen as Gateway to Economic Revival
The proposed upgrades and new constructions stretch across the four constituencies of Wajir County — Wajir West, Eldas, Wajir South, and Wajir North — covering both urban access roads and major inter-town links.
Among the priority works is the upgrading of the Wajir County Stadium Ring Road to bitumen standard, rehabilitation of the Wajir Stadium–Airport Road, and the construction of a roundabout at the County Headquarters and Airport Road junction.
Other projects include improved drainage systems, expansion of key access roads and upgrades connecting government offices, police facilities and new affordable housing developments.
These projects are expected to significantly ease movement within the county capital while also improving access to public institutions and emerging residential areas.
Local development observers say the road works represent more than just infrastructure — they symbolize a turning point for a region that has for decades lagged behind in national development priorities.
For years, residents of Wajir have faced challenges associated with poor road connectivity, including limited access to markets, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. During rainy seasons, many rural roads become nearly impassable, isolating communities and disrupting economic activity.
If implemented as planned, the proposed road upgrades could dramatically change that reality.
Sh30 Billion Road Plan Targets Regional Connectivity
A broader infrastructure proposal outlines eight major road projects across the county at an estimated cost of approximately Sh30 billion.
Among the key proposals are the Habasweni–Abakore–Sabuli Road in Wajir South, the Wajir Bor Junction–Gerilley Road in Wajir East, and the Tarbaj Junction–Mansa Town Road in Tarbaj constituency.
In Wajir West, the plan includes upgrades of the Habasweni–Hadado–Arba Jahan corridor as well as improvements to the Wajir–Hadado route, which could strengthen transport links between remote settlements and the county headquarters.
Eldas constituency is also set to benefit from several road upgrades connecting Eldas town to El-Nur, Masalale, Kilkile and other surrounding areas. These roads are expected to improve access to health facilities, including the Eldas Referral Hospital, while facilitating trade and mobility across the region.
Meanwhile, Wajir North stands to gain from the proposed construction of the Buna–Korondile Road, a key link that could open up new economic opportunities in the northern part of the county.
Infrastructure experts note that once completed, these roads could significantly reduce travel time between towns, encourage private investment, and stimulate trade across the wider North Eastern region.
A Moment of Opportunity for a Marginalized Region
For many residents, the proposed infrastructure plan carries symbolic importance.
Northern Kenya has long been cited as one of the regions most affected by historical marginalization, with limited investment in roads, water systems, and public facilities. In recent years, however, national and county governments have sought to reverse that trend through targeted development projects.
The planned road network upgrades are widely viewed as a step toward integrating Wajir more fully into the national economy.
Improved roads could boost livestock trade — the backbone of the local economy — while opening up opportunities for small businesses, tourism potential, and regional commerce.
Community leaders say reliable road infrastructure would also strengthen service delivery by allowing easier movement of teachers, medical personnel, and security agencies.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
While optimism around the proposed projects is growing, some residents have urged political leaders to ensure that the development agenda remains focused on the interests of the people.
There are growing calls for Members of Parliament and other elected leaders to safeguard the projects from political interference or diversion for short-term political bargaining.
Residents insist that infrastructure development is a constitutional right tied to equitable distribution of national resources.
Many say the road projects should serve as instruments of empowerment rather than political leverage.
For communities that have waited decades for reliable infrastructure, the expectation is clear: development must reach the people for whom it was intended.
A Beacon of Transformation
If implemented effectively, the road development plan could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Wajir County.
Improved infrastructure has historically played a central role in unlocking regional growth — connecting farmers to markets, enabling investors to access remote areas, and allowing communities to participate more fully in national economic life
For Wajir, the roads may represent more than physical pathways.
They could become the corridors through which long awaited waited opportunity, investment, and transformation finally arrive.
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