Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), local administrators, and residents of Kajiado North have agreed to work together to address flooding risks along the Riruta-Ngong Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) route ahead of the anticipated El Niño rains.
The collaboration will involve identifying and addressing drainage and stormwater challenges that have emerged along the railway corridor, with residents warning that diverted water channels could expose homes to flooding.
Speaking during a public participation session held by Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) at Ngong Social Hall, John Maina, KRC engineering team, said the corporation was ready to work with residents to identify immediate solutions despite the ongoing court order that has halted construction.
“At the moment, the project is stopped because of a court order, as we are all aware, but we need to do what we can. Our engineering teams are available to come to your homes and together work on the most practical immediate solutions before the El Niño rains,” he said.
Kajiado North Sub-County Administrator Samuel Muchiri called for a coordinated approach involving chiefs, residents, and KRC engineers to ensure the concerns are addressed before the rains.
“Let us organize with the chief and residents and schedule with KRC when they come; all these concerns be addressed together so we can protect our people,” he said.
Muchiri further said that the railway could also help ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity between Ngong, Nairobi, and surrounding areas once completed.
Kajiado North Deputy County Commissioner, Yusuf Mohammed, urged residents to embrace the railway as a long-term community investment while calling on KRC to work with them to resolve outstanding concerns.
Ngong Ward MCA, Mbiriri Mwaura, echoed the call, pledging political and administrative support towards resolving the pending issues.
Residents living along the railway route welcomed the project but raised concerns over stormwater diversion and damage to homes, which they attributed to construction activities.
Fred Njuguna, a representative of the Zambia/Elpaso/Vet Community Policing Committee, said residents had initially supported the project but became concerned after construction began.
“We did welcome the project during the previous public participation, but when the construction started, we realised, for example, the Zambia station was too close to our homes,” he said.
Njuguna handed KRC a community proposal calling for improved stormwater drainage and the opening of feeder roads to enhance residents’ access and safety once the railway becomes operational.
Luka Nyaga, an Elpaso resident, said the community was particularly vulnerable because of changes in stormwater flow.
“We, the residents of Elpaso, are in the way of this water, and I am afraid if the floods come, the effects will be devastating,” he said.
The 12.5-kilometre Riruta-Ngong railway, commissioned by President William Ruto in December 2023, passes through Riruta, Karen, Bulbul, and Ngong.
The project has been stalled by a legal dispute involving the Karen Langata District Association (KLDA), which challenged its implementation, citing inadequate public participation, environmental assessment, and disclosure of the feasibility study.
The Environment and Land Court issued conservatory orders halting construction, which was about 40 per cent complete, and directed KRC to meet the required legal and regulatory conditions before resuming works.
The renewed consultations, including the forum at Ngong Social Hall, are part of a three-day engagement held from August 25 to 27 in Karen, Embulbul, Ngong, Kiserian, and Ongata Rongai to address public participation and feasibility-study requirements.
By Byron Ouma
