Nairobi — Nakuru town residents have protested the felling of trees lining up the Nakuru-Lanet-Njoro highway to pave way for construction of a dual-carriage way.

Over 1,000 jacaranda trees lining the highway from Stem Hotel to Nakuru town were hewed.

The felling of these trees, which have been in existence for over 57 years, has also affected the free flow of traffic along the busy highway.

Heavy tree trunks have been left near the road, leaving little space for users of the highway.

China Road and Bridge Construction Company was awarded a contract to construct a dual carriageway from Lanet through Nakuru Town to the Njoro turn-off.

Move has impacted negatively on the beautification of the town

Speaking on Wednesday, the Director of Environment at the Nakuru Municipal Council, Mr Samuel Kiarie, said the civic body was not consulted before the exercise started.

Kiarie said the cutting down of the trees had impacted negatively on the beautification of the town and endangered the environment.

And a group of residents wrote to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources demanding the immediate suspension of the exercise.

The residents threatened to take legal action against the Ministry of Roads and Public Works for authorising the destruction of the trees.

Under the banner of Nakuru Town Action Group, the residents have petitioned the United Nations Environmental Programme to intervene.

The group representative, Mr Simon Nasieku, said Environmental Impact Assessment had not been conducted.

Trucks belonging to the ministry were used to carry the tree trunks from the road.