Deputy Governor of Nairobi Polycarp Igathe. [Photo/Kass FM]Illegal encroachers have been given notice by Nairobi County on land meant for the city's light rail project to vacate or face the law.Speaking on Tuesday during a tour of the ongoing construction of commuter railway stations in Nairobi, Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe said his government had issued a pre-notice to illegal encroachers living along the railway line to allow for completion of the project.Mr Igathe said,“We are warning people encroaching on railways land to move out because we are going to use any lawful means to get you out. We are giving you a pre-notice to do so, failure to which we will use all available laws to affect the notice.”He also did not refrain from accusing Members of County Assembly (MCAs) allied to the opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa) of being behind the move.“MCAs from the Opposition are bringing people to encroach the railway station to stop development projects. We shall not entertain political interference in the mission of decongesting the city,” he said.Mr Igathe further added, “You cannot expect to just come and construct along the railway line and expect it to continue. That must stop. I am specifically speaking about Donholm where there is political instigation for people to encroach the site.”“Within a year we can start traveling with some semblance of dignity...We want to urge people living in Kitengela, Syokimau, and Mlolongo to start using the railway,” he said.
“We will mobilise very strongly to ensure you leave these sites. This train is not only going to serve one community. Our political culture must change,” added Mr Igathe.Nairobi estatesMr Igathe added, “In five years, private cars will not be allowed in the city centre because they are the biggest creators of congestion. We will create park and ride stations where matatus will be expected to pick and drop people, using private cars or otherwise, from,”