Murkomen: Aberdare road project to wait expert assessment

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard]

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said the government will only construct the multi-billion shillings' road going through Aberdare forest if there is a positive Environmental Social Impact Assessment report.

Murkomen noted that the 97.8km road, which links Murang'a, Nyeri and Nyandarua counties has 52km going through the forest and conservationists had raised concerns that the project will degrade the environment.

Appearing before the joint seating of Senate Lands and Senate Transport Committees in Nairobi on Thursday, the CS said that the road project was abandoned in 2009 and 2018 over the same issues and review having been started and they are waiting for the outcome that will give direction on what will be done next.

"We are waiting for the final environmental assessment report which will determine whether we will go ahead with the project which has stalled for the last 10 years because working on a road project in the Aberdare Forest is a matter of great concern since the environment has to be protected," he said.

The CS told the joint Senate committees that the project has not been allocated any budget in the current financial year and having been projected to cost Sh12 billion five years ago, it is now expected to cost Sh15 billion.

"The government will not bow down to pressure by politicians who are telling their people that the road must be done yet all necessary measures have not been put in place, let them not give false hopes to their people they represent since due process will be followed," said Murkomen.

Environment CS Soipan Tuya told the committee that public participation is being undertaken to address the issues raised such as massive negative impact to Aberdare forest ecosystem with National Environment Management Authority having categorized the project as high-risk as it traverses an environmentally sensitive area.

Tourism and Wildlife CS Peninah Malonza also expressed concern over the project citing restriction of wildlife movement, pollution and potential poaching.

But Senators John Methu (Nyandarua) and Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri) insisted that the road must constructed as it connects three counties hence it has economic value.

"The project has economic significance as it spans a huge economic region crossing more than 10 counties," Methu said.