Nairobi: 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 Ni±o 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.
According to Kenya News Agency, during a public participation session held by Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) at Ngong Social Hall, John Maina from the KRC engineering team stated that 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 Ni±o rains,’ he said.
Kajiado North Sub-County Administrator Samuel Muchiri emphasized the need for a coordinated approach involving chiefs, residents, and KRC engineers to address these concerns before the rains. He advocated for organized scheduling with KRC to ensure all issues are tackled collaboratively to protect the community.
The railway, once completed, is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity between Ngong, Nairobi, and surrounding areas. Kajiado North Deputy County Commissioner, Yusuf Mohammed, urged residents to view the railway as a long-term community investment and called on KRC to work with them to resolve outstanding concerns. Mbiriri Mwaura, Ngong Ward MCA, echoed this sentiment, offering political and administrative support to address unresolved issues.
Residents living along the railway route welcomed the project but raised concerns over stormwater diversion and damage to homes, attributing these to ongoing construction activities. Fred Njuguna, representing the Zambia/Elpaso/Vet Community Policing Committee, mentioned that while residents initially supported the project, concerns grew as construction progressed. He handed KRC a community proposal for improved stormwater drainage and the opening of feeder roads.
Luka Nyaga, an Elpaso resident, highlighted the community’s vulnerability due to changes in stormwater flow, expressing fears about potential devastating effects if floods occur.
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 with the Karen Langata District Association (KLDA), which challenged its implementation on grounds of inadequate public participation, environmental assessment, and feasibility study disclosure. The Environment and Land Court issued conservatory orders halting construction, which was about 40 percent complete, instructing KRC to meet 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.
