Illegal structures along railway line in Nairobi demolished

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: Several structures constructed near the railway line in Umoja and Outer Ring Road were demolished in an exercise that saw many counting losses.

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

The move came days after a passenger train ploughed into a matatu at an unmanned level crossing in Mutindwa area in Umoja estate, killing 12 people and injuring at least 20 others.

Following the accident, Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau and the Rift Valley Railway announced that the structures would be demolished because they posed a security risk.

Most of those affected were temporary structures used as shops for a variety of wares, including furniture and second-hand clothes.

The demolitions in Umoja, Tasia and Pipeline targeted any structure that was within 50m of the railway line.

Property strewn

Officials said the exercise will be extended to other areas in the city. Those to be affected most are thousands of people living in informal settlements such as Kibera, Githurai, Dandora, Agare, Lunga Lunga, Korogocho, Sinai, and Soweto where the railway line passes.

Some of the property from the demolished structures was strewn all over the area, including the road, and affected the traffic flow.

A team of police officers came to back another team that carried out the exercise at the targeted stretch. Railways Police Commandant Kirimi Ringera said the owners of the affected structures knew they were operating on illegal sites.

“We are exercising caution in the demolition and evictions, and all concerned parties were informed. We have moved the valuables to places the owners can find them,” he said.

Ringera said the move was aimed at ensuring safety for the public, including those who use the commuter trains.

But some traders who have been conducting their business from the area claimed they were not given anough time to move their merchadise

Most areas near the railway line have been encroached on by city residents selling wares and others who have set up tree nurseries.

The makeshift structures put up near the railway line crossing also prevent train drivers approaching residential areas from seeing the area clearly, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

The encroachment has also affected planned expansion of the railway line.