- The 2014 completion of the Isiolo–Marsabit–Moyale Highway under the LAPSSET project cut travel from three days to 12 hours, replacing unsafe lorry rides with modern luxury coaches
- County governments, NGOs, and international partners have invested in markets, health, water, peace initiatives, and vocational training, enabling residents to tap into new trade and transport opportunities
- At least 10 bus companies now operate daily on the route, generating millions in revenue and spurring the growth of trading centres, though security and service quality remain ongoing concerns
For decades, the Northern region of Kenya was synonymous with isolation and hardship.
Poor roads, rampant insecurity, and lack of investment meant that residents had few travel options beyond clinging to the back of lorries, often sharing space with goats and cattle, on journeys that took days.
“There were no tarmac roads, and even the rough routes that existed were unsafe because of frequent bandit and terrorist attacks,” recalls Shem Beverton Mukalović on Facebook.
“When we were kids, our Borana neighbours told us that traveling to their rural home would take days, and the only means of transport were lorries carrying animals. Imagine the sheer indignity, not because you couldn’t afford better, but because that was the only option.”
That reality has been transformed by the Isiolo–Marsabit–Moyale Highway, a multi-billion-shilling project completed in 2014 under former President Mwai Kibaki’s administration as part of the LAPSSET project.
The highway reduced the Nairobi–Moyale journey from a gruelling three days to just 11–12 hours, transforming a once-forgotten frontier into a thriving transport and trade corridor.
With smooth tarmac and improved security, Moyale is now a bustling gateway to Ethiopia and a vital link for traders, business travelers, and tourists.
The once-empty road now hosts at least 10 bus companies, all vying for passengers on the Nairobi–Marsabit–Moyale route: Moyale Star, Liban Bus, Soores, Baretum Classic, Mabruk, Royal Bus, Ambasa, Abuya Modern, Salama and Abyssinia.
Every evening at 7:00 p.m., a convoy of long-distance luxury coaches departs from Nairobi’s Eastleigh 9th Street, bound for Moyale and Marsabit, arriving early the next morning.
Additional services run in both directions daily, with stops in Isiolo and Sololo.
Liban Modern Bus, one of the leading operators, advertises fares of KSh 2,500 for Nairobi–Moyale, KSh 2,000 for Nairobi–Marsabit, and KSh 1,000 for Nairobi–Isiolo or Isiolo–Marsabit. Departure times are 7:00 p.m. from Nairobi to Moyale, 2:00 p.m. from Moyale to Nairobi, 7:00 a.m. from Nairobi to Marsabit, and 6:30 a.m. from Marsabit to Nairobi.
Recent entrants such as Abyssinia, Baretum Classic, and Abuya Modern have raised the bar for passenger comfort with features like air conditioning, reclining seats, Wi-Fi, and improved customer service, luxuries unheard of on the route just a decade ago.
Speaking to PNTV Africa, Taj Arero, a graphics designer based in Eastleigh, notes that the buses have evolved into an economic lifeline for residents of Isiolo, Marsabit, and Moyale, contributing significantly to local trade and connectivity.
On August 5, Scania East Africa shared a video of a collection of buses it delivered to clients who are in business on the Nairobi-Moyale route, among others.
"July was a busy and exciting month for us! We proudly delivered buses to our amazing customers, supporting their businesses, boosting passenger comfort, and driving progress in mobility. From cross-county travel to cross-border journeys, each delivery is a step toward a more connected transport system," Scania East Africa published on their social media platforms.
This competition is driving service upgrades across the board, though passengers still call for improvements in punctuality, overloading prevention, and general customer care.
The transformation has been so profound that daily passenger volumes now generate millions of shillings for bus operators.
“Back then, no investor would risk their money on the Nairobi–Moyale route. Now buses packed to capacity make trips daily, and trading centres are mushrooming along the route,” Mukalović notes.
Beyond improved roads, the devolution of government since 2013 has brought county administrations closer to the people, enabling targeted investments in markets, water supply, health facilities, and livestock programs.
These local initiatives have complemented the transport boom by improving service delivery and creating business opportunities along the highway.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have also played a critical role.
From drought resilience projects and women’s empowerment programs to cross-border peace initiatives, NGOs have helped stabilize communities and build the social foundations needed for commerce to flourish.
International partners have supported vocational training, microfinance programs, and small-scale irrigation schemes, allowing residents to diversify their incomes and tap into the new market access that the highway provides.
While the occasional attacks remain a concern, security agencies have made significant progress in keeping the corridor safe.
From a neglected backwater to a booming transport hub, the Nairobi–Moyale route stands as a testament to the power of infrastructure to unlock economic potential and transform lives, one busload at a time.