Good news for Northestern as Sh1.7bn Tana bridge nears completion

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Relief is on the way for residents of Garissa county and the larger northeastern region with the completion of the Sh1.7 billion Tana Bridge only four months away.

The bridge, which spans approximately 150 metres, is valued at Sh1.77 billion and is a key infrastructure project designed to ease congestion and accommodate the growing volume of traffic into and out of the region.

North Eastern regional commissioner John Otieno said the project is expected to be completed and commissioned in the next four months.

He spoke on Wednesday after an inspection tour of the project. He was accompanied by the Regional Project Implementation Monitoring and Communication Committee and a team from the Office of the Presidential Advisors.

Otieno said the project was initially expected to be completed by next week, but minor challenges prompted the contractor to request an extension.

“The contractor has requested for an extension, which is currently under review for about four months. We therefore expect this project to be completed and commissioned within the next four months,” Otieno said.

Describing the bridge as a transformative investment for the region, the administrator said it will significantly improve connectivity and safety.

“This is a game changer. It is a very modern bridge. As you are aware, we have been using a bridge that has been here for quite some time,” he said.

Engineers have projected a lifespan of 100 years for the bridge. Once completed, it will be dedicated to vehicular traffic, while the existing 43-year-old bridge will be retained for light use, including pedestrians, boda boda riders, and livestock.

Otieno said other major infrastructure projects were underway including the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor. He said construction works were progressing well, with 68km of the road section already paved.

“When this road is complete, it will open up the region and make it easier for goods from the port to pass through this area towards our neighbouring countries,” he said.

The administrator said the North Africa Gateway Development Project was also progressing steadily.

Another major road project running from Wajir to Kotulo, Elwak, Ramu and Mandera under the North Africa Gateway Development Project is currently under implementation.

“The contractor is already on the ground and has done a lot of clearance works. We believe that by mid-next year, the project will come to fruition,” Otieno said.

His tour of the Tana Bridge project came after he chaired a two-day workshop to sensitise regional heads of departments and agencies on the five pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Duncan Mwereri, the regional head of the Government Delivery Unit in the Office of the President, said the Tana Bridge was among the key flagship projects under President William Ruto’s administration.

“There are many projects being implemented in this region, especially those touching on the livelihoods of mwananchi,” Mwereri said.

He said the development of feeder roads to support the livestock economy was one of the core pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda being prioritised in the region.

“This region depends heavily on livestock. We want farmers to have their animals well catered for so that they are not severely affected by drought,” he said.

He said livestock vaccination programmes were ongoing and reiterated the President William Ruto's commitment to ensuring that the North Eastern region is no longer marginalised.

“A lot is happening, and the President has made it clear that this region will never be marginalised again,” Mwereri said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The upcoming Sh1.77 billion Tana Bridge is set to transform transport and trade in Garissa County and the wider North Eastern region. Spanning 150 metres, the bridge will significantly ease congestion, enhance safety, and accommodate growing traffic, while the old bridge will remain for pedestrians and light vehicles. The project reflects a broader infrastructure push under President Ruto’s administration, including the LAPSSET Corridor and the North Africa Gateway Development Project. By improving connectivity and supporting livestock and trade, these initiatives aim to integrate the region economically, address historical marginalisation, and underpin the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, positioning Northeastern Kenya for long-term development.