The National Environmental Management Authority is at the final stage of approving construction of a 12.5km long Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) line which commences at Lenana/Riruta area where it branches off main Nairobi-Kikuyu MGR line.
- •The Authority has given members of the public a month to submit oral or written comments to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist in the decision-making process regarding this project.
- •Kenya Railways Corporation proposes the line, which transverses through the Ngong Road Forest (KM 1+100 to KM 1+650) before exiting to Southern Bypass Road, in Riruta ward of Dagoretti Sub- County.
- •From Southern Bypass Road Interchange, it runs along Ngong Road corridor upto Karen shopping center, it crosses to the left-hand side of the corridor running along the road reserve to Kerarapon Road, in Karen area, Langata sub-county.
From Kerarapon Road to Ngong the project is located within Oloolua and Ngong wards of Kajiado North sub-county, Kajiado County.
Anticipated impacts include loss of biodiversity, involuntary land acquisition, traffic disruption, water pollution, noise and vibration pollution, generation of waste and soil erosion.
The Kenya Railways says it plans to deal with the loss of biodiversity through minimal clearance and disruption of vegetation, minimizing the unnecessary felling of indigenous tree species and preparing Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), for conservation and management of biodiversity along the railway corridor.
On involuntary acquisition, the Kenya Railways Authority says it will undertake resettlement action plan prior to commencement of the railway project. It also plans to Issue notices to vacate in advance to roadside traders to avoid damages and conflicts and ensure appropriate and timely compensation for project land take and continuous engagement with affected persons before project commencement.
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