Leaders in West Pokot county have faulted the National Environment Management Authority [NEMA] for issuing a stop order on the construction of Kamatira, Lelan, Chepotong’ei tarmac road. The road was launched on 2nd November by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
A spot check on the road showed that construction is ongoing and about 14 kilometres has been constructed.
In a letter, NEMA has issued a stop order for the construction of the 84-kilometre road through Kerra.
The notice dated 3rd Novembers reads “The ongoing construction is contrary to the previous improvement notices and contraction restoration order issued by NEMA on various dates [02/08/2016,03/08/2016] and there for there is no E.I .A Licence at the site ,” .
The order called for the suspension of all construction works on the road until E.I. A License is obtained, immediately undertake the I.E.A Process for the road contraction and submit the report to Nema.
Area leaders led by Pokot South member of parliament David Pkossing said that NEMA is being used by a section of politicians who want to frustrate the Jubilee government’s mega projects.
“I read politics in the recent efforts by NEMA to stop the construction. Someone is hiding behind NEMA. It is malicious and we suspect the order. This is the first tarmac road by Jubilee in the area,” said Pkosssing .
They said Kerra is constructing many roads in the country and there is nothing wrong.
“It is now one year since the construction started and why now? Something fishy is going on here. Why is NEMA targeting this road?” asked Pkossing.
The leaders said the road will facilitate peace among the neighbouring communities of Pokot and Marakwet and will enable residents to do business together.
“It will enable locals to intermingle and yet it’s bringing animosity,” said Pkossing.
Speaking after inspecting the road, Pkossing said that the road has been in existence since independence and Kerra is only upgrading it.
“This is D3 27 Road and it aims at changing the narrative of cattle rustling to start other means of livelihood and development. They should not bring politics in development to put residents in danger,” said Pkossing.
He said so many roads have been constructed by the county government in the County.
The leaders urged Nema to stop interfering with government projects and not to be used by politicians to achieve their clandestine agenda.
“They should keep off from interfering with the construction. NEMA should keep off politics of West Pokot. NEMA and Kerra are government agencies. Why does NEMA want to shame the President,” said Pkossing.
They urged the contractor to ignore the stop order and proceed with the construction.
“We assure them of our support. We want locals to benefit from the road,” he said.
A resident from Lelan, Mr. Emanuel Sinja condemned the issuance of the order citing the road help locals to reach nearby towns of Kapenguria,Iten and Eldoret.
“100,000 litres of milk from Muruny and Highland dairies in Lelan, Irish Potatoes, Onions are being transported on the road and serves the four Sub–counties in West Pokot. Farmers have incurred huge losses because of the poor road,” said Sinja.
He said that locals appreciate the government for constructing the road that will benefit them.
West Pokot NEMA Director Christopher Muchiri said he is not allowed to talk to the media.
“Only the general Director of NEMA can issue a statement concerning the issue,” he said.