Kirinyaga leaders protest over proposed dual highway

Kirinyaga County leaders have protested against President Uhuru Kenyatta over the proposed Sh84.5 billion dual highway project in central Kenya.

The leaders, led by Governor Joseph Ndathi and Senator Daniel Karaba, vowed not to allow the highway to be taken away from their county.

They said the highway project, now set to pass through Murang’a Town, should be built according to the initial plans and specifications.

The 36 leaders converged on Friday at Sun-Citi hotel in Mwea-West Sub-County and declared that they would fight until the Kenol-Makutano-Sagana-Marua higway is constructed as planned.

In a press conference, the leaders turned the heat on the President, asking him to change his mind.

Those present at the meeting were the three MPs Njogu Barua (Gichugu), Stephen Ngare (Ndia) and Winnie Njuguna, County Assembly Speaker Anne Wangechi and 30 ward representatives, in a rare show of unity.

They said they were shocked when the President Kenyatta announced that the road would pass through Murang'a Town.

"This statement was a shock to the leaders and the residents. We have received numerous delegations of residents, all expressing anger and great disappointment.

“The reality is, this diversion will kill the economy of our county and the diverse effects will be felt in the neighbouring, Embu, Meru, Tharaka-Nthi and Nyeri counties," added Mr Ndathi.

The leaders noted this new development has created despondency among the residents who are strong supporters of Jubilee government.

"Their anger is being reflected in the voter apathy being experienced in our region where few residents are coming forward to register as voters in the ongoing voter registration exercise," said Mr Ndathi.

GREAT NORTH ROAD

This road, whose feasibility study and design work was financed by African Development Bank at a tune of Sh300 million, forms part of Great North Road which runs from Cape Town to Cairo.

It was conceptualised in 2013 under former President Mwai Kibaki’s regime, whom the leaders said they would remember forever.

Mr Ngare said he was working with the Ministry of Roads when the project meant to benefit the local residents was planned.

Mr Barua said there was conspiracy in the government to divert the road, adding that the votes of Kirinyaga people must be respected.

Ms Njuguna, who is the County Woman Representative, said she was unhappy with the President's decision, adding that the leaders would not let the project go.

The senator said what has been done was unacceptable and told his colleagues that he had even raised the matter in the Senate.

However, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia insisted the project would pass through Murang'a as earlier announced by the President.