Kenya Railways Corporation's plans to establish an inland container depot at Athi River face significant delays due to a protracted land ownership conflict. The project, intended to alleviate pressure on Mombasa port, hinges on a 4,298-acre site embroiled in legal battles between East African Portland Cement (EAPCC) and local residents.
The National Government's partnership with the private sector to develop the facility has been stalled by a court injunction. A Machakos court ruled on February 15, 2019, prohibiting Portland Cement from developing the disputed land pending resolution of ownership claims. Over 2,000 families from the Aimi ma Lukenya Society have occupied the site for more than two decades, challenging the company's assertions of title.
Portland Cement has proposed selling part of the land to stabilize its financially strained operations. The proposed dry port, located near the Standard Gauge Railway, would serve seven cement manufacturers and create local employment. However, the ongoing litigation risks extending the project's timeline, which was initially slated for a two-year completion period.
