Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a church service on Sunday, July 28, lamented about an ongoing court case which is hindering the construction of the Ndunyi-Njeru-Ihithe road.
The DP while speaking in Kinangop, Nyandarua County revealed that the government was dragged to court over the Kish4.4 billion road which, if completed will connect Nyandarua and Nyeri counties.
It is expected to cut through the heart of the Aberdare National Park and Forest Reserve resulting in concerns from conservationists and community groups.
The construction of the road began over a decade ago but was again halted by a court in 2009 after yet another petition by conservationists.
While responding to this, Gachagua complained the group was barring development and specifically, linkage of the two counties.
"We were taken to court so that the road could not be constructed over concerns of interfering with the wildlife ecosystem. But if the animals were upset but the people are happy, which is better for the country's greater good," he remarked.
He argued that the road was still being used and the animals were still living in the forest reserve and national park which he used as a basis to conclude that the court case is not justified.
Gachagua complained that it was unfair to stop the project when no harm had befallen the animals.
The DP pointed fingers at the courts for failing to engage the residents of the two counties to understand their views on the road to determine whether or not the works should continue.
"I don't hear the animals complaining or do they have a lawyer in court defending them?" he questioned, accusing some groups of dragging the government to court for ulterior motives.
He assured the residents that the government was working to ensure the matter was resolved and the construction continued.
Meanwhile, during the service, Gachagua also cautioned leaders from Mt Kenya who were fighting him in public.
The second in command argued that this would be the downfall of the region and thus called for peace and unity among all leaders.
He urged the leaders to take notes from other leaders in the Rift Valley, and the Nyanza region who were not publicly insulting their regional leaders.
"I urge you to look at other communities, they do not share their secrets with the public nor do they fight each other," he added.
The Deputy President further revealed that he will host a meeting with all relevant stakeholders next weekend to discuss matters affecting the nation.
