This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
On July 5, 2020, a delegation of three governors from Central Kenya's economic block and Kenya Railways officials embarked on a familiarization tour of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Nairobi-Nanyuki railway line.
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Mureithi, Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia, and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga led the tour, which aimed to assess the progress of the rehabilitation project.
Speaking during a meeting with the business community and Kenya Railways officials at Kiganjo station in Nyeri County, the governors emphasized the importance of the railway line in spurring social-economic development in the region.
The governors called on Kenya Railways to handle encroachment of the corporation's land in a humane manner, devoid of demolitions of hundreds of buildings and other properties.
The Nairobi-Nanyuki railway line, which collapsed many years ago, is expected to transport products such as tea, coffee, livestock, and horticulture produce.
Kimemia added that the region also had minerals that can be transported through the railway line and identified Vivo energy and Total Kenya as some of the companies that have pledged to use the line.
Mutahi urged Kenya Railways to engage owners of buildings, leaders, and residents before demolishing the earmarked buildings, saying, "The corporation should not just wake up and demolish buildings, engage their owners and relocate them to other areas."
