Governor distances himself from ongoing demolitions
By Noah Cheploen, October 13, 2020
Noah Cheploen @cheploennoah
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has distanced his administration from the ongoing demolition by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC).
The Corporation has intensified its land reclamation exercise and evicting people illegally occupying it.
Speaking to the press yesterday, Kinyanjui said he has no hand in the eviction exercise.
Kinyanjui noted that the exercise is purely a contractual matter between Kenya Railways Corporation and different investors, who have over the years established various businesses.
He expressed regret that investors have lost millions of shillings while others have also been rendered jobless.
It is estimated that over 3,000 people who have working in the petrol stations, popular bar and restaurants, car wash bazaars have lost their jobs and source of livelihoods.
“Corporation has in the past few days been demolishing property on its land in Nakuru Municipality, even after entering into lease agreements with investors,” said Kinyanjui.
“We wish to state that this exercise is purely by KRC and other agencies and that the County Government of Nakuru is not involved in any way and was not notified of the intended demolitions,” he continued.
Corporation is reclaiming the land in preparation for the rehabilitation of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Kisumu line and the construction of the Rironi-Mau Summit Superhighway.
Ample time
However, we wish to note with concern the manner in which the demolition was done leading to loss of property worth millions of shillings, he said.
“This is inconsistent with the need to protect private property and encourage investors in an environment of predictability,” he added.
He said that investors should have been given ample time to move out adding that many of them have incurred huge loses.
“In such reclamation, adequate notice to move should have been given to businessmen to avoid property and job losses,” he said.
The parcels of land stand along the busy Geoffrey Kamau Road which links Nakuru and Nairobi and the area between Showground and KFA roundabout.