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Karen Lang’ata District Association (KLDA) secured conservatory orders from the Environment and Land Court, Milimani, on behalf of Karen residents, halting the construction of the proposed commuter railway line from Riruta to Ngong through Karen. The legal victory follows a lawsuit filed by KLDA chair Samora Sikieh against the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), China Railways Design Corporation, APEC Consortium Co. Limited, and senior officials from the Ministry of Roads and Transport. Sikieh cited a lack of proper stakeholder engagement and the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license prior to the commencement of the project.

Justice Anne Omollo, in her ruling, ordered that all planned activities related to the project be halted until the court makes a final determination. “That orders are hereby issued that no activities be undertaken on the project/construction pending hearing and determination of the application,” the ruling stated.

Ruling suspends work

The court’s decision effectively suspends any further work on the railway project until the application is fully heard and resolved. The respondents have been directed to file and serve their replying affidavits within ten days, with the court warning of consequences if they fail to comply.

The Riruta/Lenana to Ngong Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line, commissioned by President William Ruto last December, was intended to serve Ngong town as part of the government’s efforts to decongest Ngong Road.

 The 12.5-kilometer railway would begin at Riruta, branching off from the Nairobi-Kikuyu line, and pass through Dagoretti South and Lang’ata sub-counties in Nairobi before proceeding to Kajiado North Sub-county in Kajiado County and terminating in Ngong town.

However, KLDA members had threatened legal action against the project, citing a lack of public participation. During a meeting held in April at St. Christopher’s International School in Karen, residents expressed frustration over the project being implemented without their knowledge.

“Our presence here does not in any way approve the project. We are here to listen and absorb what Kenya Railways will give us before giving any feedback,” Samora Sikieh said at the time. The association has demanded that authorities ensure compliance with the law and uphold their rights.

Shortly after the president commissioned the project, members of the Keekonyokie community, along with their leaders, also voiced their opposition. They convened a meeting on the disputed land, demanding that the project be paused to allow for further consultations.

“The land belongs to the Keekonyokie community. We want President William Ruto to listen to us. We are not opposed to government projects, but the landowners must be consulted before any project is affected,” said Justus Ngossor, Speaker of the Kajiado County Assembly.

Community members emphasized that the land in question represents a longstanding example of historical land injustice against the Maa community. “We are being pushed from ancestral land each day,” they lamented..