Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday directed the immediate repair of the Kijabe railway line to remove blockages caused deposition of debris on the line.
Kindiki issued the orders after the railway line passing through the Kijabe area was rendered impassable by fallen trees and mud accumulation on the rails.
The Interior CS who visited the area to assess the situation, noted move was aimed at averting further deaths witnessed in recent days.
“The government has directed urgent structural repairs and drainage of the tunnels to avert loss of life in the area as was the case last week,” the CS announced.
While conducting the tour, the CS also directed the immediate evacuation of people living within the railway line by security officers.
In particular, Kindiki ordered the Kiambu County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) to lead the evacuation process and ensure all residents of the flagged areas had been saved.
According to Kindiki, this would help mitigate any potential harm to people living downstream in case of stormwater caused by a drainage system burst.
"Members of the public affected by this directive will be assisted to find temporary shelter until it is safe to return to their habitual residences," Kindiki stated.
Kindiki's directive came barely days after several people died from floods that hit the area and destroyed infrastructure.
The relocation also follows a directive by President William Ruto on the evacuation of Kenyans from areas that had been affected by the floods.
In his directive which he made on May 3, the president ordered the Interior Ministry to identify potential sites for temporary shelter for displaced persons and lead the overall support programme.
Ruto further ordered Kindiki to forcefully evict Nairobians who live and have built their houses on riparian land.
