Kenya’s High Court has cleared the Sh8.7 billion Riruta-Ngong railway project to proceed, following a petition challenging its implementation. The 12.5-kilometer railway line, launched in December 2030, will connect Riruta, Karen, Bulbul, and Ngong across Nairobi and Kajiado counties. Once completed, the railway is expected to serve over 10,000 passengers daily, significantly reducing traffic congestion and improving public transport in the region.
The court ruling follows a legal petition by the Karen Lang’ata District Association, which raised concerns about public participation, environmental risks, and land rights. The group argued that the public consultation process was flawed, inadequate, and excluded key stakeholders, particularly those directly affected by the construction. They also alleged that the project encroached on land belonging to the Directorate of Veterinary Services in Ngong without proper environmental scrutiny. Additional concerns included potential air, water, and noise pollution, loss of biodiversity in ecologically sensitive zones in Karen, and destruction of tree cover in residential areas. The petitioners further questioned the legitimacy of the public participation questionnaires, citing issues such as missing dates and signatures.
They sought a declaration that the project was unconstitutional, cancellation of contracts awarded to Kenya Railways Corporation and its Chinese partners—China Railway Design Corporation and Apec Consortium Co. Ltd.—and a permanent injunction to stop the construction. However, Justice Anne Omollo ruled that the Kenya Railways Corporation had conducted adequate public engagement before the project’s launch. She affirmed that environmental concerns had been addressed in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report, which included mitigation measures. With the court’s approval, the Riruta-Ngong railway project—spearheaded by the government in partnership with the Ministry of Roads and Transport and Chinese contractors—will now move forward as planned.
Read the full article for more details on the court’s ruling and what’s next for the project.