This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
On January 18, 2019, African Union Envoy Raila Odinga commissioned a dredger machine at Kisumu port, but little did he know that a storm was brewing in the city. A controversial eviction notice had been circulated to tenants of Kenya Railways premises in Kisumu, sparking anxiety and confusion among traders and residents.
The notice, which was delivered last week, directs tenants to vacate the premises within one month or face forceful eviction. This has disrupted businesses, with traders fearing an imminent demolition of their structures. The notice reads in part: “In accordance with the provisions of the short leases and temporary occupation licences executed between Kenya Railways and yourself, which states that either party may terminate this agreement/term of lease at any time during the subsistence of the tenancy by giving one month notice in writing, you are therefore given one month notice to vacate your business out of Kenya Railways land to pave way for revitalisation, expansion and operationalisation of Kisumu Port.”
However, regional Kenya Railways Manager Patrick Nzomo has dismissed the notice, stating that no such notice originated from their office. He noted that Kenya Railways has clear channels of communicating with the tenants, and most of them have genuine lease contracts. “We have also heard from other quarters that there is some notice which has been circulated to the tenants. No notice has originated from our office,” said Mr Nzomo.
