Nairobi Cartels Defy Kenya Railways Warning

An undated image of police officers at a Kenya Railways terminal
An undated image of police officers at a Kenya Railways terminal.
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Cartels have defied a warning issued by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) a week after the transport company cautioned entities occupying its land. 

A report in the local dailies reveals that unauthorised people have continued to occupy KRC's land located between Addis Ababa and Bamburi Road.

Manufacturers located in the area have raised alarm over the structures set up by the traders which have blocked their establishments. They also believe that some of the structures have been set up recently despite the warning by KRC. 

The ballasting process along the Embakasi line
The ballasting process along the Embakasi line
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Kenya Railways

"Between Addis Ababa and Bamburi roads, a chain of structures have been built where goods used to be delivered by trains," one manufacturer told the Daily Nation.

The manufacturers also believed that the cartels were colluding with Nairobi County Government officials to have their structures remain untouched by KRC.

Kenya Railways issued the warning after noticing that the activity on encroached land had increased after the station revamped some of its lines.

The corporation further indicated that those found encroaching on the property will get a 10-year prison term if found guilty.

"KR would like to inform the general public that with or without prior knowledge, occupation of the Corporation's reserve land is criminal.

"Anyone found violating the law is liable to imprisonment for a period of up to 10 years as per the KRC act. We, therefore, wish to remind the public that any unauthorized activities along the line is strictly prohibited," read the statement.

Kenya Railways is one of the largest landowners in Kenya but most of it has been lying idle for years after the service collapsed in the 1990s.

Land grabbers and squatters have since taken advantage of the inactivity to set up businesses and homes in the railway reserves. 

Encroachment of land compromises safety standards resulting in derailments alongside other challenges which include delays and vandalism.

Workers at the Nairobi Central Railway Station in 2020
Workers at the Nairobi Central Railway Station in 2020
Kenya Railways
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