The construction of a multi-billion road through the Aberdares Forests hangs in the balance after officials working with the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) were arrested on site.
The officials were apprehended by Kenya Forest Services (KFS) rangers for cutting down trees inside the forest in South Kinangop which has resulted in a row between the two government agencies.
The standoff has halted the tarmacking of the 68KM Kinyona-Gatura-Njabini stretch whose construction is being undertaken at a cost of Ksh3.8 billion.
In an interview with a local publication, County Ecosystem Conservator David Muigai noted that they were displeased with the uprooting of the trees.
"We are under a moratorium not to cut and dispose of any trees and we cannot condone the clearing of this section," he stated.
On the other hand, KeNHA official Adams Mureithi stated noted that 14-KM from Murang'a had been cleared while 12 Km into Nyandarua had stalled.
"The contractor needs possession of the site to continue with the work, or he will be forced to withdraw and demand compensation for the lost time," he explained.
The project is expected to cut through the end of Aberdare Forest at Njabini market in Nyandarua County and further connect the area to Naivasha Dry Port in Nakuru County.
The road is said to be the one the late President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta used to access Kinyona village, where he began negotiations on how he would join Legislative House (Legco).
Transport CS James Macharia in a previous interview explained that the project will join the Ksh30 billion Mau Mau road that will connect the counties of Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri and Nyandarua designed to increase connectivity.
He further ordered contractors working on government projects countrywide to employ people in their areas as part of creating employment.
At the same time, the government is in the process of constructing the 84km Kenol-Sagana-Marua dual carriageway.
The Ksh16.7 billion project will be completed in three years and is part of the Great North Road from Mombasa, through Nairobi to Moyale and will connect the country to Ethiopia.
