Central Organization of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli on Wednesday, October 23, announced that he would not support President Uhuru Kenyatta's plan to build an expressway from JKIA to Westlands.
Talking to Jeff Koinange on Citizen TV, he regretted that the idea mooted by the president to construct the 27-kilometre road was a misinformed idea.
He was responding to a question by a social media user who had asked him to share his opinion on the issue that had elicited reactions on social media, many condemning it.
"I don't know who thought about that because if you asked me, whatever my sister Wangari Maathai fought for and was recognized for internationally, should be respected," he stated, referring to Maathai's efforts to conserve the environment.
Atwoli further castigated Kenyans over what he stated was their propensity to forget the sacrifices of their predecessors, an idea that Koinange seconded.
"Have you ever seen a warthog running from a lion? It runs for a few seconds and then forgets what it was running away from. Those are Kenyans," Atwoli described.
According to a detailed plan signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, dubbed Development of Nairobi Expressway Project, a huge chunk of the park was set to make way for the road.
The report also revealed that the historic papal dais at The University of Nairobi would have to be demolished.
Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna, however, stated that no part of the park would be touched by the highway.
He explained that whereas Kenyans assumed that the piece of land in question was part of the park, it had actually been reserved for the expansion of Uhuru Highway.
Kenya National Highways Agency Director, Peter Mundia also confirmed that all feasibility studies had been carried out and the project was set to kick off.
The Standard reported on Saturday, October 20, that the China Roads and Bridge Company (CRBC) - which was awarded the contract to build the 27km road, is expected to operate the highway independently from 2023 to 2049.
The publication also reported that by the time the company hands over the expressway to Kenya in 2049, it will have minted a total of Ksh102 billion in a deal where they are insulated from competition, taxes, and losses.
Once completed, CRBC is expected to operate the highway from 2023 to 2049 and it is projected that the road will be used by 55,236 vehicles a day.
Video Courtesy of Citizen TV
