The Ihithe Ndunyu Njeru road project, which is targeted at three regions, is expected to change the perception of infrastructure in central Kenya.

The Nyeri-Kiandogoro-Ndunyu Njeru road will connect Nyeri and Nyandarua counties through Aberdare Forest.

The 54 kilometer road, to be constructed by the Kenya National Highways Agency (KeNHA) at a cost of Sh4.4 billion, will take four years to complete. It is expected to be completed in 2023.

The project involves upgrading sections of the road from all areas to all weather, and increasing the capacity of the paved sections.

The route starts at Ihithe Market in Nyeri and enters Aberdare National Forest Park at Kiandogoro Gate and exits at Mutubio Gate in Kahuruko District before heading to Njabini-Olkalau Road at Ndunyu Njeru.

To promote tourism

“Currently, it takes three hours to travel from Nyeri to Ndunyu Njeru through the Nyeri-Nyahururu road, covering a distance of 180 kilometers. The proposed road will carry passengers at 54 kilometers per hour and boost tourism distance and agricultural trade between these two regions,” KeNHA said in the report.

The road is now in the third largest sacco – 2NK.

“Although I cannot fully explain the impact the road will have on our sago until it opens, I know it will transform Nyeri into a 24-hour economy. because the road will be open for people coming from Nyeri. and other parts of the country. Sacco CEO James Cairo said.

“Any movement that reduces the distance between the two cities is acceptable if we can reduce the time spent on this road is good news… I hope it will open soon .”

KeNHA estimates that the road will cost Sh4.4 billion and upgrading the 38km road between Kagogoini-Kahuruko from gravel/gravel road to asphalt will cost Sh3.3 billion.

The expansion of the 8.5km Nyeri-Kagogoini road and the 7.5km Kahuruko-Ndunyu Njeru road will cost Sh561 million and Sh495 million respectively.

According to KeNHA, the government conducted the first study in 2008 and the study concluded that the project was beneficial and the residents of the area supported its development and asphalt standards.

National Environmental Management Agency (Nema)

However, in 2009, the National Environmental Management Agency (Nema) refused to issue a building permit.

The then Nema chairman Muasya Mwinzi said in a letter to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Roads Michael Kamau that if the road is allowed to be built it will have a negative impact and the Aberdare environment.

The first thing that was done on the way was that he had to cut down the forest grass from a distance of 25 kilometers. Nema said that those responsible for the project did not provide an alternative to the proposed asphalt road.

However, the current project concept provides for a detailed study of the road design, including the promotion of environmental impact assessment work, public protection and the completion of land acquisition for the expansion of the proposed road.

This approach has exhausted businessmen in Nyeri town and are embracing the move to expand their markets in the Rift Valley.

The Vice President of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ndegwa Mureithi said that this road will improve the trade between the Central Valley and Rift Valley regions.

“Kenyans have shown that they can live in harmony with nature, there should be no reason for them to be against the road that will strengthen the economic link between Nyandarua and Nyeri,” he said.

KeNHA has proposed a three-year plan which will be completed in the fiscal year 2022-23. In the 2019-20 financial year, the project will cost Sh440 million – 10 per cent of the total cost.

Kenya Highways Director General Joseph Wanjohi said the project will be divided into three phases.

He said the winning companies have two years to complete the project.

“The project will start from Mairi-Kinyona-Ichichi-Wanjerere-Kiamuturi and end at Cairo at the Murang’a-Nyeri border,” said Wanjohi.

According to The Standard newspaper, a 23.2 kilometer section was constructed between Gataka-ini and Mairi and a 3.6 kilometer section between Mioro and Muthangari.

The construction also includes the 33.8 kilometer section connecting Kiamara-Kangema-Kanyenya-ini and Tuthu, at the request of Kangema MP Muturi Kigano.