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The Nationwide Atmosphere Administration Authority (NEMA) has made a sudden flip permitting for the development of the controversial Ihithe-Ndunyu-Njeru Highway.
This highway which is ready to attach the counties of Nyandarua and Nyeri will traverse 25 kilometres by way of the Aberdare Forest’s closed cover.
Controversy over the highway started after courtroom circumstances filed by environmental teams akin to Rhino Ark Charitable Belief, Kenya Tourism Federation, and Nationwide Atmosphere Civil Society Alliance of Kenya amongst others who moved to courtroom in 2009 to cease its building.
The teams argued that the undertaking is a recipe for an environmental disaster since it will intrude with water catchment areas for Sasumua and Ndakaini dams that are key water sources for Nairobi Metropolis residents.
A photograph of NEMA places of work in Nairobi, Kenya.
Photograph
NEMA
Presently NEMA, Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Kenya Forest Service refused to present the go-ahead for the undertaking after finishing up an environmental and social affect evaluation.
Citing destruction of the ecosystem, the three slammed brakes on the undertaking inflicting the Kenya Nationwide Highways Authority (KeNHA) to droop the tender discover for the development.
Nevertheless, on 5, January 2024, the three wrote a letter to the Kenya Nationwide Highways Authority (KeNHA) expressing a change of coronary heart, permitting the highways authority to proceed with the undertaking.
Within the letter, the our bodies suggested KeNHA to evaluate the widths of the highway from 40 m to 25 m in areas the place the highway traverses by way of the Aberdare Forest Reserve and Nationwide Park.
“…fascinating highway reserve width of 40m diminished to 25m in sections traversing Aberdare Forest Reserve and Nationwide Park and related works,” the letter to KeNHa learn partially.
President William Ruto throughout an occasion in Nyandarua had vowed to disobey courtroom orders and transfer forward with the development of the highway citing pointless delays and corruption on the courts.
“Would you like us to assemble the Ihithe highway or ought to we watch for the courts? The Judiciary says we should always not assemble the highway. Ought to I assemble the highway or watch for these folks? PS, avail the cash for that highway and let the development start,” he mentioned
With Ruto having given a greenlight on availing of wanted sources, KeNHA will now be ready on NEMA to approve the changes and proceed with the development.
This highway shall be helpful within the transportation of agricultural produce over the 52 km stretch connecting Nyandarua and Nyeri.
President William Ruto talking throughout a burial ceremony in Nyandarua County on January 2, 2024.
PCS
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