Residents of Kwa Mang'eli village in Athi River Sub-County, on Monday held demonstrations to demand payment over the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project.
The residents demanded compensation for their crops and property that were reportedly destroyed to pave way for the on going SGR project in Athi River.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the residents, Ayubu Changawa, the chairman of Kwa Mang'eli Athi Estate Association, claimed the government is yet to fulfil its promise of settling the payments.
"The government took away our plots which were our source of livelihood thereby rendering us vulnerable. Kenya Railways Corporation's management promised to pay us but they have since gone silent,” said Changawa.
He added, "We are appealing to the government to intervene in this matter so that Kenya Railways Corporation pays us what rightfully belongs to us.”
The demonstrators blocked the road linking Athi River Town to Mombasa Road at stage 39 bridge, denying vehicles, most of which belong to the project's contractor China Road and Bridges Corporation, access to Athi River Town.
Changawa claimed 26 families were yet to receive compensation from the government.
Isaac Murumba, one of the demonstrators, accused the Kenya Railways Corporation of being biased in effecting payments in Athi River.
"Devki residents and those living along the Nairobi-Namanga Road have all been compensated. Why have we been sidelined?” asked Murumba.
The demonstrators threatened to mobilise more residents from the region to conduct a mass demonstration that will paralyse the SGR Project if they will not have received compensation by Friday.