What tree felling says about officials

The construction of the Nairobi Expressway from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, through Uhuru Highway to the Westlands continues to be dogged with controversy. Last week it was the demolition and eviction of small-scale traders. This week the wanton cutting down of trees along the road sparked widespread condemnation.

While several trees were marked for cutting, reports that a fig tree on Waiyaki Way iconic for its historical and environmental importance was set to be brought down by the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) elicited the loudest protestations.