Transport cabinet secretary Davis Chirchir has defended the construction of the controversial 13 kilometers Riruta Ngong railways line that is set to cost taxpayers up to 8.12 billion shillings.
Chirchir has refuted claims that inadequate public participation was conducted and stated that the cost benefit of the construction and acquisition of rails compliments the construction of a dual carriageway along the Bomas Kiserian route as part of plans to decongest the Nairobi city
In questions raised by the Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna, Chirchir maintained that the railway line is equally a prioritized project that is fully funded by the government.
”It might be expensive to develop the commuter rail, if you see the capacity we are able to pull depending on the number of attachment of the of the units to transport up to six thousand, six hundred people, if we do the economics, you’ll appreciate why we need both.” He stated
The construction of the of the railway has faces headwinds, for instance in August 2024, the Environment & Land Court issued a conservatory order halting construction pending the hearing of KLDA’s case over failure to secure the ESIA licence and proper public engagement .
Karen and Lang’ata community groups and Senator Edwin Sifuna, argue the project lacks due public consultation, raises environmental and property-rights concerns, and that road upgrades (e.g., dualling Ngong-Karen road) might offer greater immediate relief