After decades of unfulfilled promises, a paved road linking Kenya to Ethiopia is finally becoming a reality for a remote desert region. Chinese road engineers are working to replace a challenging rock track with tarmac, connecting Kenya's farms and port to landlocked Ethiopia. This road, part of the Great North Road project, has remained unpaved for years but China is now taking the lead in its construction. This major trade route will open up the previously isolated northern region of Kenya, which has been inaccessible for a century. China's interest in securing resources and opportunities in Africa is aligning with Kenya's goal of developing untapped regions. The construction of a new road in a beautiful but impoverished area is expected to bring economic benefits such as increased tourism and trade. China Wu Yi is building the road with funding from the African Development Bank and the Kenyan government. It is estimated that paving the road between Isiolo and Moyale could increase trade between Kenya and Ethiopia significantly. Last year, trade between China and Kenya saw a substantial increase. The tarmac of the Cape-to-Cairo road disappears at the edge of the pavement in Isiolo, marking the boundary of what residents consider the frontier between two parts of Kenya. Residents of this border town feel disconnected from the rest of the country, with hopes that improvements to the road will boost tourism and bring in more revenue for the community. However, there are individuals who are wary of China's intentions, echoing the uncertainty that many Africans have towards the Asian powerhouse's investment efforts. Some residents in countries like Zambia believe that China is engaging in a form of modern colonization by exploiting Africa's resources and flooding the market with cheap products. China refutes these claims, citing a longstanding 50-year history of trade and collaboration with Kenya. The Chinese are currently focused on reconstructing the initial segment of the Isiolo-Moyale road to facilitate the transportation of heavy machinery to Merti, located approximately 80 km (50 miles) east of the planned 136 km (84.5 miles) road. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Sweden's Lundin Petroleum AB are conducting seismic tests in Merti in preparation for oil drilling activities set to commence next year. Residents in Isiolo have been wary of oil exploration since a failed venture in the 1980s, and there have been other indications of growing resentment. One Chinese engineer was fatally shot by bandits near the Merille River on April 21, with tribal elders suggesting he was targeted due to a perception that not enough locals were being hired by the Chinese company. Wu, a representative of the project, stated that the majority of the workers were Kenyan and all the day laborers were from the area. After the shooting incident, the Kenyan government deployed its elite paramilitary General Service Unit to the Merille River area in order to disarm young people and ensure security. The construction of a road is seen as a potential lifeline for northern Kenya, potentially ending years of neglect in the region. Isiolo was previously considered a remote outpost during colonial rule, located at the border of the closed Northern Frontier District which covered a large portion of Kenya. Europeans were prohibited from residing in Isiolo due to its perceived danger and harsh climate, requiring a special permit for entry. George Cardovillis, a descendant of Greek traders, shared his family's interest in establishing a business at the Ethiopia-Kenya border in 1914. The government instructed them to continue their journey south to Maralal, a distance of over 600 km (373 miles). The landscape from Isiolo to Ethiopia remains largely unchanged, with desolate stretches of black volcanic stones and reddish sands. Despite advancements, the sun still beats down relentlessly, mountains are visible in the distance, and water is scarce. Electricity, telephone lines, and most other services are almost nonexistent in the area. Despite the lack of amenities, Kenya's national parks remain unspoiled and are rarely visited due to their remote location. Just 50 km past Isiolo are three game reserves that are comparable to the Maasai Mara in terms of the abundance and variety of animals. Joy Adamson, the author of "Born Free," settled in this area to raise leopards until her tragic murder. Jayne Nguatah, the manager of Sarova Shaba lodge in Shaba park, believes that their occupancy rates will increase once the road construction is completed. "We will consider it a Christmas present for ourselves." The Sarova Shaba is located along the Ewaso Nyiro river, where crocodiles can be seen and Samburu and Borana herdsmen bring their animals to water. Baboons and monkeys freely roam the treehouse-style main lodge, which is built over a natural spring. However, the challenges of developing a sustainable tourism industry in northern Kenya go beyond just infrastructure. Banditry and tribal conflicts are prevalent due to the influx of weapons from past and present conflicts in neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. Security forces are thinly spread as nomadic herders continue to search for pasture and water for their livestock, a practice they have maintained for centuries. Some herders now carry modern assault rifles, while others still use rifles from colonial times. Despite the industrial presence of Chinese engineers in Isiolo, doubts remain about whether the road project will reach areas like Moyale to the north. Plans to extend the road beyond the current Chinese construction are still in the planning stages. Trader Gumucha Gisiko expressed his skepticism, stating that for 45 years they have been making promises about the road, but he believes in seeing things to believe them.