Court halts Sh8.7bn Riruta-Ngong Railway construction over public participation concerns

The Environment and Land Court in Nairobi has temporarily stopped the construction of the Riruta-Ngong meter gauge railway line, following a petition by the Karen Langata District Association.

This was after the residents through the Karen Langata District Association (KLDA) complained that the government did not conduct public participation on the possible impact of the Sh8.7 billion project.

Justice Anne Omollo on Friday ordered that no work be done on the project until the case is heard and decided. The hearing is set for September 25.

The association argued that the government had not shared the feasibility study or consulted the public, especially residents of Karen. The proposed project would affect their homes and part of Ngong Forest.

The 12.5km railway line President William Ruto commissioned in December 2023 will pass through Riruta, Karen, Bulbul, and Ngong.

Environmental impact

Samora Sikalieh, the association's chairman, said they invited Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) to a meeting on April 12, 2024, to discuss the project's environmental impact.

He added that KRC officials listened to the residents' concerns and promised to consult and hold a stakeholder meeting to address environmental and financial matters related to the project.

Sikalieh said that the residents raised issues about potential pollution, including air and noise pollution, and stressed that the government is required to involve the public in all decisions about the project before it begins.

He said KRC allegedly admitted that no environmental impact assessment or study report had been undertaken before the commissioning of the project.

"The petitioners raised concerns that the construction of the project herein was commenced and ongoing prior to a stakeholder or proper consultation of the affected communities, including the petitioners," he said.

Sikalieh stated that no documents related to the project had been made available to stakeholders, the public, or the affected communities, despite their requests.