Conservation groups have rejected the path that the Kenyan government has proposed for routing of the second phase the new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) through the Nairobi National Park.
The government’s preferred path is a viaduct 18 metres above the ground that cuts across the entire 6 kilometres of the park. It will begin eight metres from the edge of the park at the northern gate and continue for 41 kilometres after exiting it to the south, according to the mi nites of a meeting between representatives from the Conservation Alliance of Kenya and those from the government department concerned.
Members of the Alliance expressed regret that conservation groups were being included in the consultations very late in the SGR project – well after the government had decided on the path of the railway through the park.
They said one of the alternative routes, that runs through Athi River, had the minimum impact on the Nairobi National Park and should have be given further considerations and, if desirable, stakeholders were prepared to bring in partners to explore how additional funding would be raised for the expected cost overrun.
Members of the Alliance requested more time before the project launch to explore alternative options and avoid a public uproar.
The conservation groups suggested that if the project launch can not be postponed from 26 September, the nature of the planned launch could be modified to exclude publicizing a particular route that has not been the subject of public consultation and agreement.
see an image of the park with the proposed routes and details of the proposals: http://bit.ly/2bbgJA1
