The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has made a sudden turn allowing for the construction of the controversial Ihithe-Ndunyu-Njeru Road.
This road which is set to connect the counties of Nyandarua and Nyeri will traverse 25 kilometres through the Aberdare Forest’s closed canopy.
Controversy over the road began after court cases filed by environmental groups such as Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, Kenya Tourism Federation, and National Environment Civil Society Alliance of Kenya among others who moved to court in 2009 to stop its construction.
The groups argued that the project is a recipe for an environmental crisis since it would interfere with water catchment areas for Sasumua and Ndakaini dams which are key water sources for Nairobi City residents.
At this time NEMA, Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Kenya Forest Service refused to give the go-ahead for the project after carrying out an environmental and social impact assessment.
Citing destruction of the ecosystem, the three slammed brakes on the project causing the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to suspend the tender notice for the construction.
However, on 5, January 2024, the three wrote a letter to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) expressing a change of heart, allowing the highways authority to proceed with the project.
In the letter, the bodies advised KeNHA to review the widths of the road from 40 m to 25 m in areas where the road traverses through the Aberdare Forest Reserve and National Park.
“...desirable road reserve width of 40m reduced to 25m in sections traversing Aberdare Forest Reserve and National Park and associated works,” the letter to KeNHa read in part.
President William Ruto during an event in Nyandarua had vowed to disobey court orders and move ahead with the construction of the road citing unnecessary delays and corruption at the courts.
“Do you want us to construct the Ihithe road or should we wait for the courts? The Judiciary says we should not construct the road. Should I construct the road or wait for these people? PS, avail the money for that road and let the construction begin,” he said
With Ruto having given a greenlight on availing of needed resources, KeNHA will now be waiting on NEMA to approve the adjustments and continue with the construction.
This road will be useful in the transportation of agricultural produce over the 52 km stretch connecting Nyandarua and Nyeri.
