Nakuru:Residents in Nakuru are voicing their anger over the felling of trees along Oginga Odinga Road, raising significant concerns about environmental conservation in the area. The uproar began after images of the tree destruction, which resulted in debris littering the road, were shared widely, causing inconvenience for pedestrians and road users.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika responded to the outcry by stating that her administration was not responsible for the tree removal. She assured residents that she had intervened to halt the felling and that any further tree cutting would require county approval, ensuring it would only occur when absolutely necessary for road expansion.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) is behind the roadworks, which aim to expand Oginga Odinga Road into a dual carriageway. Governor Kihika criticized the lack of initial county approval for the tree removal and emphasized the importance of balancing road construction with environmental conservation, especially given the effects of climate change.
KURA’s project involves upgrading approximately 4.7 kilometers of the road, including improvements to the carriageway, footpaths, drainage, and road signage. However, the removal of mature trees has led residents to question if alternatives were considered to preserve the greenery that characterizes the urban landscape.
The controversy highlights a broader debate on coordinating national agencies’ infrastructure projects with local environmental management. As Nakuru City continues its development, the need for transparent processes and effective communication between KURA and the county government becomes crucial. The project has raised questions about the environmental safeguards in place and whether adequate compensatory measures, including replanting, will be implemented.
This issue is not isolated to Nakuru, as similar concerns about tree removal have arisen in other Kenyan cities during infrastructure projects. The situation underscores the importance of ensuring that development projects align with environmental conservation goals and community needs.
