Nyeri-Nyandarua Road tender cancelled

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has terminated the tender for Lot Four (Nyeri-Nyandarua section) of the Mau Mau roads project in Kenya. This section covers the area between Ihururu and Njabini.

This decision puts a damper on plans for the 54 km stretch that runs through the Aberdare Forest to Nyandarua. In addition, it dashed the hopes of traders in Kiambu, Murang'a, and Nyeri counties. The traders were reportedly looking to link with farmers in Nyandarua.

Reason for the cancellation of the Nyeri-Nyandarua section of the Mau Mau roads project was reportedly due to the fact that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and National Environment Management Authority (Nema) all failed to approve the environmental impact assessment, according to a statement from KeNHA.

The EIA approvals would have given KeNHA possession of the site that stretches from Kiandogoro Gate to Mutubio Gate. The 33 km section according to the autonomous road agency is under Aberdare National Park as well as Aberdare Forest.

The ecosystem of Aberdare would reportedly have lost its natural forest because of the proposed road project. 25 kilometers of the closed canopy are supposed to be traversed by the proposed realignment of the Ihithe-Aberdare Forest-Kahuruko-Ndunyu Njeru road. The road was budgeted for Sh4.4 billion and was supposed to be completed the following year.

The cancellation of the Nyeri-Nyandarua section will not have an impact on the ongoing Mau Mau road project. This was the assurance made to Kenyans by the roads authority. The Mau Mau roads project traverses through Kiambu, Murang'a, and Nyeri.