Residents of Malindi and Sabaki wards in Kilifi county on Friday protested against a group opposing the tarmacking of a Sh67 million road project.
The residents, led by three MCAs, marched along the uncompleted Absa-Mtangani road, saying they are angry with the stakeholders who want it built using Cabro instead of tarmacking it.
The construction of the road was suspended by the court after stakeholders filed a petition challenging the legality of the process.
Those who moved to court are Malindi Progressive Welfare Association, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kilifi county, Malindi Residents Development Group and Kenya Hotel Keepers and Caterers Association.
The petitioners argued that the road must be made of Cabro instead of bitumen which was what was approved by the Kilifi county government after funds were approved by the World Bank.
They say that Cabro will last for many years and the maintenance cost will be minimal compared to a tarmacked one.
But assembly majority leader Adamson Mwathethe, Malindi Town MCA Kadenge Dadu and Sabaki's Edward Delle, who led the demonstration, said those who are challenging the project do not have the interests of the people at heart.
Delle said he does not understand why a few people are opposed to the project. He said there is evidence that public participation was done.
"What we want is a tarmacked road. It's strange that some people calling themselves the business community are against it because they want Cabro," Delle said.
The Sabaki MCA said the road is important as it links key business premises and has been in a sorry state for many years.
MCA Kadenge said they fear that the World Bank might withdraw the funding due to the conflict.
Already, some hotels in the area have been closed due to the bad state of the road, he said.
Dadu said those opposing the project were enemies of development.
Resident Peter Njuno said the problem should be resolved quickly and work completed.
David Opiyo, Stembo Kaviha and Janet Kadzo said all they want is a good road, whether it will be built using bitumen or Cabro.
The road which is 800-metres long was set to be completed in November.
