Naivasha Gilgil demolitions, Kenya railways has flattened largest slum and hundreds of businesses

The largest informal settlement in Naivasha has been razed on Kenya Railways land, leaving 4,000 families homeless.

The demolition of structures on railways land took place on Sunday night.

Residents in the settlement off the Nairobi-Nakuru highway said they did not receive vacate notices.

A day earlier, bulldozers had brought down hundreds of businesses in Naivasha and Gilgil towns. One Naivasha trader said more than 300 businesses were affected.

The demolitions and public outcry have split the country’s leadership. The land owned by Kenya Railways is expected eventually to expand the rail network.

In 2019, Kenya Railways issued a notice to vacate railways land. Few remembered or took it seriously.

Naivasha subcounty commissioner Mutua Kisilu defended the government and denied there were no vacate notices. 

“This exercise has been going on across the country and Kenya Railways issued a notice in 2019.  But many ignored it and they are now facing the consequences,” he told the Star newspaper journalist.

Plans for the land have not been announced.

In Naivasha town, traders said the weekend demolition had hurt thousands of people. A hotel, bars, butcheries, salons, assorted stores were brought down. Traders who were interviewed said they had a 30-year lease with Kenya Railways and asked why they were not served with notices.

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