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The government has warned people out to frustrate the ongoing rehabilitation of the Commuter Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) connecting Mombasa city to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus in Miritini.

Speaking at the Kilometer Zero at the Old Railway Station in Mombasa, Principal Secretary for Transport Mohamed Daghar said no one will be allowed to frustrate the project.

“When I am talking about disruption, I am talking about the assault of government officers and assault of contractors. There is no instruction from the government or the courts that warrants frustration if a project has fully complied with the law, and due process has been followed,” Daghar said.

Hired goons

He said his department was working with the Interior Ministry to secure government projects “from hired goons allegedly under the influence of powerful figures”.

The PS said the project was 65 per cent complete with the remaining 35 per cent likely to be delayed by land compensation processes.

Daghar, however, said the National Land Commission had been allocated money to expedite the compensation process.

The Sh4.2 billion project is aimed at enhancing passenger transport from the SGR station in Miritini to key commuter zones within and around the Port City.

“The comprehensive approach to infrastructure development includes not only the railway project but also the Dongo Kundu road initiative, aiming to create more than 50,000 job opportunities for Mombasa residents,” Daghar said.

The PS was accompanied by Mombasa County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa and several government officials.