In an ironic twist Nyeri residents have petitioned President Ruto to order the construction of Mau Mau road recently stopped by government.
In a protest on Mashujaa Day scores of residents asked President Ruto to reinstate the proposed Sh4.4 billion Ihithe-Aberdare Forest-Kahuruko-Ndunyu Njeru road project which is part of Mau Mau roads.
The angry residents held the demo arguing that the cancellation of the Lot 4 tender linking Ihithe in Nyeri and Ndunyu Njeru in Nyandarua would derail growth.
The project was cancelled after Kenha failed to get environmental impact assessment (EIA) approvals from Nema, KFS and KWS.
Upgrading of the road to bitumen standards of the road was expected to open up Central Kenya counties by shortening the distance covered when ferrying food and other products.
Tetu politician Alex Gathii argued that other mega projects rolled out by the government had been completed successfully though they pass through forests and national parks.
“We have mega projects like the standard gauge railway (SGR) which traverse through national parks and are operational. How come that this road was cancelled over environmental issues?” posed Gathii
“We are demanding that this road be upgraded to bitumen standards. This route has been there for many years and we want it opened up.” he said.
The protest was ironic because at the height of last regime Central Kenya residents criticised retired President Uhuru for heavy investments on roads.
They said they were broke and wanted money in their pockets more than roads.
