Residents and businesses in Elwak Municipality are already experiencing tangible benefits from the presence of Shandong Road and Bridge Construction Group, even before the full implementation of the Elwak–Kobo section of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HOAGDP) begins in earnest.

Following intense rainfall in March and April 2026, Elwak Town was plunged into the usual perennial severe crisis of flooding . The absence of a functional stormwater drainage system, coupled with the town’s flat terrain, resulted in widespread flooding and waterlogging. Key access roads within the Central Business District (CBD) were rendered impassable as stagnant rainwater mixed with loose soil, forming deep, foul-smelling mud. Transport ground to a halt, businesses were disrupted, and a serious public health risk emerged.

In response to mounting public concern, HE Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif launched a swift and coordinated emergency intervention . This effort brought together Shandong Road and Bridge Construction Group, the Resident Engineer’s Office for LOT 2 (Elwak–Kobo) under Horn Of Africa Gateway Development Project , and Elwak Municipality under the County Government of Mandera Lands and Urban Development Department.

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At the heart of this intervention was the provision of heavy machinery and technical expertise by Shandong Roads and Bridges, demonstrating a strong commitment to social corporate responsibility. Excavators, dump trucks, graders, and vibratory rollers were rapidly mobilised to restore critical road infrastructure within the CBD. The Resident Engineer’s Office provided technical oversight and quality assurance, ensuring that even under emergency conditions, works adhered to sound engineering standards. Elwak Municipality residents complimented these efforts and coordinated on-the-ground supervision.

The intervention focused on high-impact corridors critical to the town’s economic activity. A total of 2 kilometers of roads were rehabilitated through emergency murraming and compaction. Sections including Highway Hotel to Hajj Dayow, Qorobo and Jamia Masjid, Equity Bank through the Old Market, and Shimpir Fatuma stage to Qolati junction were restored to functional condition.

The methodology adopted was both practical and effective. Saturated and unstable mud layers were first excavated and removed. High-quality murram was then hauled from local borrow sites and spread across the exposed roadbeds. Finally, heavy rollers compacted the surface to create a stable, all-weather carriageway capable of supporting normal traffic flow.

The results were immediate and visible. Transport resumed across the Elwak CBD, enabling the movement of goods, services, and people. The foul odor and sanitation risks associated with stagnant water were significantly reduced. Businesses reopened, and normal economic activity began to recover. For residents, the intervention restored not just mobility, but also a sense of normalcy and confidence.

This rapid response highlights the value of strategic partnerships in infrastructure delivery. The collaboration between the County Government of Mandera lead by HE Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) through the Resident Engineer’s Office, and Shandong Roads and Bridges presents a model for effective emergency response and inter-agency coordination.

Importantly, the early impact of Shandong Roads and Bridges’ presence goes beyond machinery and technical input. It signals a proactive approach to community engagement, where immediate local challenges are addressed alongside long-term project objectives. This has strengthened community trust and demonstrated that large-scale infrastructure projects can deliver early dividends to host communities.

However, while the emergency murraming has provided critical short-term relief, it also underscores the urgent need for a permanent solution. Without a comprehensive stormwater drainage system, Elwak remains vulnerable to recurring flooding during future rainy seasons. The Horn of Africa Gateway Devevlopment Project works present a timely opportunity to integrate sustainable drainage infrastructure into the town’s development framework.

As Shandong Roads and Bridges begins work on the Elwak–Kobo road project, expectations are high. If the early intervention is any indication, the project is poised not only to transform regional connectivity but also to address long-standing urban challenges in Elwak.

For now, the residents of Elwak have seen first-hand that meaningful change can begin even before construction formally starts—and that is a result worth noting.