Non-Governmental environmental conservation body, The Green Belt movement has moved to court challenging the government’s decision to expand the Kiambu Road. Green Belt is claiming that 51.64 acres of wayleave in Karura Forest will be used for the dualing of Kiambu Road and that a private entity was granted the special user license without obtaining any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from Kenya Forest Service (KFS) or National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
The Movement wants the Court to quash the tender/agreement between the Government of Kenya and the Sinohydro1 Corporation Limited or any other person or persons for the dualing of Kiambu Road without obtaining an Environmental Impact Assessment licence.
It argues that the decision to proceed with the road construction, granting approvals for the recreational facility and the ablution block without obtaining the requisite license, is a deeply misguided and detrimental move that puts the short-term economic gain of a small minority ahead of the long-term well-being of the nation’s environment and future generations.
