Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) is moving swiftly to reclaim prime land in central Nairobi, raising concerns over potential demolitions affecting churches, commercial buildings, and local residents.
The initiative is part of the State agency’s Sh28 billion Railway City redevelopment, which aims to transform the Nairobi Central Railway Station area into a modern transport and business hub.
Properties identified for clearance include those along Haile Selassie Avenue, Uhuru Highway, and Bunyala Road, drawing the attention of religious leaders, business owners, and residents alike.
Among the sites at risk are the Neno Evangelism Centre, linked to Pastor James Ng’ang’a, a partially built adjacent property, two petrol stations, and land belonging to Bishop Margaret Wanjiru’s Jesus Is Alive Ministries (JIAM).
In Mukuru kwa Njenga, business activities along Tecla Lorupe Road, extending to Kobil North Airport Road, have slowed as residents fear evictions.
A notice signed by KRC Managing Director Philip Mainga gave “unauthorised persons” seven days to vacate, warning that remaining structures would be demolished at the owners’ cost. KRC confirmed that construction would commence soon, with final designs completed and procurement processes ongoing.
The Railway City project covers 13 acres around the Nairobi Central Railway Station, envisioning a hub capable of handling 30,000 passengers per peak hour.
The development will integrate Bus Rapid Transit lines and other public transport networks while easing congestion in the city’s central business district.
Plans include laying 45 kilometres of new railway track, constructing a central station building, overbridges across platforms, additional passenger platforms, refurbishing the historic Easy Coach House, and building a freight yard at Makadara. Commercial components are expected to feature office blocks, shopping malls, and a light industrial area.
The Sh28 billion project is partly funded by the United Kingdom, which contributes Sh11.9 billion (£80 million), with the remainder coming from Kenyan taxpayers.
KRC said site clearance will take place in phases, beginning with land closest to the station, a move that has reignited tensions with property owners and religious groups.
JIAM has previously faced partial demolition during land ownership disputes with KRC. In 2024, unknown individuals demolished part of the church’s perimeter wall, claiming authority from the railway agency.
Bishop Wanjiru, who is also politically active, criticised the government, stating that if a politically connected church could face such threats, ordinary residents were equally at risk. Pastor Ng’ang’a, meanwhile, secured a court injunction in 2023 to prevent KRC from interfering with his Haile Selassie Avenue property, asserting his legal ownership and commercial plans. He accused the agency of attempting to take his land under the guise of railway reserve regulations.
Residents of Mukuru kwa Njenga have also expressed anxiety. Dozens of police officers were seen escorting bulldozers to demolish shops and homes without prior notice, bringing business activities to a halt.
“We don’t know who is giving the orders. Our MCA, MP, and governor are also unsure,” said Miriam Sisava, appealing to President William Ruto for intervention. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe visited the area, condemning the demolitions and calling for protection of residents. KRC, however, maintains that reclaiming the land is essential for developing public infrastructure.
