The Isiolo-Mandera region through which the NETIP project traverses is mainly inhabited by pastoralists who are categorized as marginalized groups in Kenya. In accordance with the World Bank’s Operational Manual OP 4.10, all projects proposed for World Bank financing and affect the indigenous People (IPs) requires a Social Assessment undertaking that will involve engagement of the IPs in a process of free, prior, and informed consultation. The policy establishes processing requirements including: screening, social assessment, consultation with communities involved, preparation of plan or framework, and disclosure. It also requires the proponent to seek broad community support of Indigenous Peoples through a process of free, prior and informed consultation before deciding to develop any project that targets or affects indigenous communities.

This calls for the need to identify impacts and risks that may result due to project activities as well as assess whether the IPs provide their broad support for the project through free, prior and informed consultation as well as assess the project impacts and risks.

The proposed Program Development Objective (PDO) of the North Eastern Transport Improvement Project (NETIP) is to enhance connectivity between Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. This shall be achieved through improvement to bitumen standards of the existing road thereby increasing transport efficiency, facilitating trade and development along the Isiolo-Wajir-Mandera part of the Mombasa-Garissa-Wajir-Mandera-Mogadishu road corridor, as well as connecting the area with information and communication technologies. The road connection is seen as an important catalyst for integration of the northern frontier into Kenyan economy and an important link in the international road connection between Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.