Nema denies licence for road through park

The national environment agency on Monday declined to issue a licence allowing construction of a Sh2.3 billion road passing through the Aberdare National Park.

The 52-kilometre road would have linked Ihithe Town in Othaya constituency, represented by President Kibaki, and Ndunyu Njeru in Kinangop constituency, represented by Sisi kwa Sisi’s David Ngugi.

National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) director-general, Dr Muasya Mwinzi, in a letter to the Ministry of Roads permanent secretary Michael Kamau, said if the road was allowed to be constructed, it would have huge adverse effects on the Aberdare ecosystem.

The preliminary road design indicated that it would cut across 25 kilometres of the forest canopy. Nema said the project consultants failed to provide an alternative route for the proposed tarmac road.

“Aberdare is a crucial water tower providing Nairobi city with water, supports the multi-billion horticultural and floricultural industry.

We are of the view that the project will not enhance sustainable development and sound environmental management,” the letter reads.

Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, Rhino Ark, East African Wildlife Foundation, Kenya Tourism Federation and East African Wildlife Society had raised strong objections to the project, saying the road would reverse gains made in conserving the ecosystem.

The conservationists had argued that gains made in the past 21 years during which a 400-kilometre perimeter fence around the game park was erected at a cost of Sh850 million cost would be in vain.