By RODGERS WAGURA
Dozens of Nyeri residents yesterday held a peaceful demobilisation over cancellation of rehabilitation works on a road connecting their county with that of Nyandarua.
The residents want the construction of Ihithe-Ndunyu Njeru road to continue as it was planned by the former administration.
They said the said road that is expected to traverse Aberdare Ranges was their gateway to wealth and thus, no one should frustrate its rehabilitation program.
Led Dairy cow expert cum politician Alex Gathii, the residents met at Ihithe Trading Centre in Tetu from where they travelled to Regional Commissioner’s office in Nyeri town where they presented a petition signed by more than 20,000 residents of the two counties
They carried banners and placards, some of which read, “Ihithe-Ndunyu Njeru Road is our Gateway to our wealth n prosperity”.
In the petition, the residents are demanding for immediate resuming of construction for the road which was halted.
The residents observed that Nyeri and nyandarua are connected and will enhance economic growth in the area also opening tourism sector which since covid 19 struck, has been declining each day.
The route which will connect Ndugamano in Nyeri to Wanjohi in Nyandarua will enhance transport sector and also shorten the route for traders in the agriculture sector increasing their profits margins.
While addressing journalists at Ihithe, Gathii said that the 52km road will connect Nyeri county to Riftvalley via Nyahururu and Nakuru and asked the Government to start the tendering process of the road.
The construction was halted after concerns were raised over disturbance to wildlife as it passes through the aberadare forest.
But the residents pointed out that even Mombasa highway passes through Tsavo forest and its common to come across herds of elephants crossing and drivers have learned to live with them so that shouldn’t be used as the scapegoat to hinder growth in Mount Kenya region.
A few weeks ago, the government announced stoppage of the said road’s construction citing concerns raised by the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service amongst other organs.
However, it stated that the rehabilitation may resume once concerns raised which include interference with the ecosystem and wildlife living style are addressed.