Dear friends across East Africa,

The Kenyan government is pushing to build a road through Nairobi National Park -- putting the future of this unique wildlife sanctuary at risk. But the Kenya Wildlife Service head can stop this disaster. Sign the petition now to give him to public mandate he needs to do so:

The Kenyan government has just approved the construction of a road right through the unique Nairobi National Park. But massive public opposition can give the head of the Kenya Wildlife Service the backing he needs to stop this outrageous decision. Nairobi National Park is an international gem -- home to over 100 species of mammals and a sanctuary for the endangered black rhino. But the government is trying to tarmac over part of this precious land to build a bypass round Nairobi. Kenyan biologist Paula Kahumbu is taking the government to court, but despite the pressure, they are still pushing the Kenya Wildlife Service to back this park-killing plan. If we now add a wave of public opposition, we can strengthen the hand of KWS head Julius Kipng'etich and persuade him to stand up and stop this travesty. Sign the petition now to call on KWS Director Kipng'etich to reject this route and save Nairobi National Park! When we reach 10,000 signatures, we’ll deliver the petition directly to Kipng'etich and the Kenyan government: http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Save_Nairobi_National_Park/?vl The national park is under enormous stress from a growing city, and conservationists fear that this road project would set a precedent for further attempts to expand into the park, as the land would be worth millions if built on. The government says the park can just get replacement land, but none has yet been secured and a major road would disrupt the park's precious habitat. Alternative road routes that avoid the national park have been dismissed without serious investigation. Just last year, public opposition was key to defeating a plan to build a road through the heart of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The Kenyan government was strongly opposed to that project on environmental and tourism grounds -- but are now applying a double standard. But public opposition can stop this road too. The government is already under legal pressure, and a public outcry can force them to reconsider. Sign the petition now to save the park: http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Save_Nairobi_National_Park/?vl The Avaaz community is winning on issues just like this all around the world. Just last year, Avaaz joined with Indigenous people in Bolivia to stop a highway that would have sliced through the heart of the Amazon rainforest -- and won. Together, we are changing how politics works around the world, and now we can do so again. With hope, Alex, Paul, Emily, Ricken, Marie and the whole Avaaz team PS: This campaign was started by Avaaz member Mike. You can create your own campaign in just 5 minutes here: http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/ SOURCES Kenya government taken to court by conservation fraternity (eTN): http://www.eturbonews.com/29349/kenya-government-taken-court-conservation-fraternity Southern bypass shouldn't cut through Nairobi National Park (The Star): http://www.the-star.co.ke/lifestyle/128-lifestyle/55161-southern-bypass-shouldnt-cut-through-nairobi-national-park-conservationists Which way for Nairobi? (Africa Network for Animal Welfare): http://www.anaw.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79:a-city-a-road-and-a-national-park-which-way-for-nairobi&catid=1:latest-news Kenya: Tanzania Cancels Road Building in Serengeti (allAfrica.com): http://allafrica.com/stories/201106300106.html

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