12 arrested for reconstructing demolished structures in Mutindwa

Scene at  train crash in Nairobi's Umoja area. Illegal structures along railway line blamed on the crash (PHOTO: Red Cross)

By Cyrus Ombati

NAIROBI, KENYA: At least 12 suspects were arrested for reconstructing their demolished structures near the railway line in Umoja and Outer Ring Road, Nairobi.

This came a day after several of the structures that were constructed near there were demolished by authorities in an exercise that saw many count loses.

Police said the suspects had started to reconstruct their structures on Wednesday before being arrested in an operation. Others had already reconstructed them and started to operate from the affected areas.

According to Railway police commander Kirimi Ringera, those arrested were busy putting up the structures and selling their wares when undercover police struck.

“Let those people know that we are serious with the operation for their own safety and that of the train and passengers. We will not tolerate their behaviour,” he said on the phone.

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Ringera said police patrols had been enhanced along the railway line to ensure no such structure is constructed again.

The traders were busy operating from the site oblivious of the danger ahead of them.

Ringera revealed train services between the city and Dandora were delayed early in the morning Thursday following claims there were youths who had blocked the railway line.

But normal services resumed hours later after police patrolled the said area and ensured there had been no such blockade.

Ringera added their operation to demolish the structures will extend to other areas where they encroach the railway line.

Bulldozers and hired youths descended on the structures after midnight on Monday flattening them as armed police kept guard at a distance.

The move came days after a passenger train crashed a matatu that tried to cross an unmanned level crossing in Mutindwa area, Umoja estate killing 12 people and injured at least 20 others.

Most of those affected were temporary structures and were being used to sell a variety of wares. The demolition stretched from Umoja, Tasia, Pipeline and up to airport targeting any structure that was within about 50 meters.

Most structures have been used to sell furniture, as car wash areas, tree nurseries, groceries and shops for merchandise goods.