State sidelining us in railway project, laments Narok East MP

Narok East MP Lemaken Aramat has accused the Government of sidelining local leaders in the construction of Standard Gauge Railway.

He accused the State of failing to compensate some of the landowners whose properties were taken to pave the way for the project.

"The Government has isolated the community and its leadership in this project, they have kept us in the dark," said Aramat who spoke at Duka Moja Wednesday.

"We appreciate the project but we want them to give us a clear plan of how and when our people will be compensated for their land. We also want the Government to be clear on the specific areas the railway line will go through," he added.

The MP called on Kenya Railways Managing Director Maina Njuguna to urgently call a meeting with local leaders to iron out the issue.

Meanwhile, Aramat wants the Government to give tenders for the project to locals. A month ago, residents of Satellite on the border of Narok and Nakuru countries complained that they had been denied tenders to supply building materials.

The SGR is one of the Government's flagship projects meant to facilitate easy movement of good and services.