KeNHA Announces 123KM Rift Valley Roads Upgrade in New Plan

Jukwaa

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to an environmental impact assessment report submitted to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) by KeNHA, the road works will cover 72-kilometre Biretwo-Chesongoch road, 32 kilometres of the Nyaru-Kapkayo road, and 19 kilometres of the Kimwamer-Emsea road.

The environmental assessment report identified land displacement as a key concern, with KeNHA saying that it plans to adjust the road route to reduce the amount of land needed for the project.

To further reduce the effects of the displacement, KeNHA said those affected will be covered under a resettlement action plan , including full compensation to be done before construction begins.

📌 What You Need to Know

The project is also set to affect the existing landscape, with KeNHA seeking to restrict earthworks to approved road routes and to use balanced cut-and-fill techniques to minimise the impact.

The project also faces potential landslides during the works, with proposed measures including construction of retaining walls and gabions, rockfall protection and appropriate drainage systems.

Soil erosion has also been identified as a potential impact, and thus, to reduce this, KeNHA said it will limit vegetation clearance and install silt fences and sediment traps.

Residents living near the project area have also been warned that the roadworks will generate dust, with KeNHA announcing plans to regularly water exposed surfaces and cover trucks carrying loose materials.

KeNHA has also proposed measures to control noise and vibration by restricting blasting and rock breaking to daytime hours, avoiding sensitive locations, and properly maintaining construction equipment.

Motorists using the aforementioned routes have also been warned to brace for frequent traffic disruptions, with KeNHA revealing that most of the work will be done during off-peak hours to reduce congestion.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke

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