The Kenya National Highways Authority(KeNHA) will transplant a Mugumo tree in wetlands to a project operation centre.
KeNHA Director General Engineer Peter Mundinia is said to have ordered CRBC to relocate the tree to the operation centre…and preserve the environment.
The Mugumo tree is more than 100 years old and is utilised by motorists as free shade for cars.
“This iconic fig tree sits right at the center of the Nairobi Expressway operation area. We have planned to transplant and relocate the tree to a new location as part of our environmental conservation efforts.” KeNHA said in a tweet.
The Country Government of Nairobi and its precursor have preserved the tree. It is located in a road reserve.
The move came after several trees were cut down to prepare the way for the Nairobi Expressway.
However, despite the notion that KeNHA was out to destroy the environment, the authority said in its Environmental assessment that a tree planting exercise was due after the construction is complete.
The project will see the construction of an elevated highway between Bellevue and James Gichuru Road.
