Badi's New Plan for Iconic Fig Tree in Nairobi Expressway Construction

Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director General Mohamed Badi (centre) together with Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi (right) when they reclaimed the grabbed HIghridge Dispensary clinic on Monday, July 13, 2020.
Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director General Mohamed Badi (centre) together with Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi (right) when they reclaimed the grabbed HIghridge Dispensary clinic on Monday, July 13, 2020.
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Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) boss Mohammed Badi on Wednesday, November 11, disclosed new plans for the iconic fig tree which faced destruction under the construction of the Nairobi Expressway.

Speaking to environmental activists at the site along Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Badi assured that the tree would be protected.

"I am here to assure all members of the public that this tree will be preserved. It will be fenced and beautified so Nairobians can enjoy it," he stated.

The fig tree located along Waiyaki Way.
The fig tree located along Waiyaki Way.
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The NMS boss added that he would reach out to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to ensure the tree was protected during the expansive road construction. 

Already works were underway with youth deployed to plant grass around it and placing benches that Nairobi residents will use to sit and enjoy the calm of the rare shade. 

"This fig tree is hereby adopted by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services on behalf of the people of Nairobi and all of Kenya, and declared and conserved as a beacon of Kenya's cultural and ecological heritage, and as a symbol of Nairobi's commitment to environmental conservation," read a statement by NMS Director of Environment, Water & Sanitation Eng. Stephen Nzioka.

The activists expressed their satisfaction with the decision by the agency noting that green spaces in the city need to be protected.

"This is a great victory for the environment because the tree holds a lot of significance for the conservation movement and culturally as well. There are few green spaces in the city and they need to be protected," the Head of Campaigns and Daima Coalition on green spaces coordinator at Wangari Maathai Foundation Elizabeth Wathuti told Kenyans.co.ke.

The activists had in October 2020, staged protests against the destruction of trees along Waiyaki Way for the construction of the road as they concentrated on protecting the fig tree from being uprooted.

Environmentalist Elizabeth Wathuti protesting against the uprooting of the fig tree at Westlands on October 30, 2020.
Environmentalist Elizabeth Wathuti protesting against the uprooting of the fig tree at Westlands on October 30, 2020.
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Weeks prior, KeNHA stated that they would relocate the tree to make room for the intended expressway.

"This iconic fig tree sits right at the center of the Nairobi Expressway operation area. We have planned to transplant and relocate the tree to a new location as part of our environmental conservation efforts," read part of the statement by the authority.

The agency further stated that China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the firm contracted to build the 27-kilometer highway, was required to plant trees covering double the area of public spaces affected in the road construction.

An image of Westlands Trees
Trees along Waiyaki Way felled to pave way for the construction of the Nairobi Expressway.
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