Change of tune as NEMA now approves construction of controversial Ihithe-Ndunyu-Njeru Road

The controversialIhithe-Ndunyu-Njeru road set to connect Nyandarua and Nyeri counties may finally be constructed despite opposition from conservationists who moved to court in 2009 to oppose the planned construction.

Following an environmental and social impact assessment, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) initially withheld approval for the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to proceed with the project, citing that the decision was based on the potential disruption of the Aberdare ecosystem.

NEMA has since written to KeNHA approving the construction with a caveat that the width of the road be reviewed downwards from 40 to 25 meters, specifically in areas traversing the Aberdares forest reserve and national park.

The letter by NEMA Director General Mamo Boru to KeNHA dated January 5, 2024 surprisingly came days after President William Ruto vowed to defy court orders and commence the construction after lamentations from leaders.

During the burial of Mukami Kimathi, freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi's widow, President Ruto committed to addressing the pending issues in response to local leaders' pleas.

"Barabara ya Ihithe mnataka tujenge ama tungoje mpaka Judiciary ituambie tujenge?" Posed the President then.

Conservationists such as Rhino Ark and others who filed the suit opposing the intended construction of the road termed it an environmental crisis.

The complainants expressed concern that the construction of the road would interfere with water catchment areas for the Sasumua and Ndakaini dams which supply most of the water for Nairobi County.

Further, the Aberdares forest plays host to close to 4,000 elephants. Its disruption is likely to cause more human-wildlife conflict already prevalent in parts of Nyandarua.

The moorlands also provide water sources for rivers Athi and Ewaso Nyiro and prevent water from running downstream causing floods.

The USD4.4 million (approx. Ksh.717.2 million) will be key in facilitating the transportation of agricultural commodities between Nyeri and Nyandarua counties.

The road comprises a 52-kilometer stretch traversing Ihithe-Ndunyu-Njeru main section, a 12-kilometer Njengu-Treetops gate-Amboni stretch, a 3.6-kilometer Ihithe-Kiamutiga-Mukarara, a 2km ark gate access road and a 21 kilometer Munyaka-Koinange-Heni Mwedandu Njoma-Weru stretch.

KeNHA is now awaiting NEMA's approval before commencement of construction works, with President Ruto already ordering disbursement of the required resources.