Interior CS Kindiki directs repairs on railway lines after tragedy

May 8, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday ordered the immediate repair of the Kijabe railway line to remove blockages caused by debris deposition on the line.

Kindiki issued the orders after the railway line passing through the Kijabe area became impassable due to falling trees and mud buildup on the rails.

The Interior CS, who visited the area to assess the situation, said the measure was aimed at preventing more deaths witnessed in recent days.

“The government has ordered urgent structural repairs and drainage of the tunnels to avoid loss of life in the area, as occurred last week,” the CS announced.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki during an assessment visit in Kijabe, Kiambu County on May 7, 2024

Photo

Kithure Kindiki

While carrying out the tour, the CS also ordered immediate evacuation of people living inside the railway line by the security agents.

In particular, Kindiki ordered the Kiambu County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) to lead the evacuation process and ensure that all residents of the marked areas had been saved.

According to Kindiki, this would help mitigate any potential harm to people living downstream should stormwater cause a drainage system burst.

“Members of the public affected by this directive will be assisted in finding temporary shelter until it is safe to return to their usual residences,” Kindiki said.

Kindiki’s directive came just days after several people died in floods that hit the area and destroyed infrastructure.

The relocation also follows a directive by President William Ruto on the evacuation of Kenyans from flood-affected areas.

In his directive of May 3, the The president ordered the Ministry of the Interior identify potential sites for temporary shelter for displaced people and lead the overall support program.

Ruto further ordered Kindiki to forcibly evict Nairobi residents who live and have built their houses on riverine lands.

President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki inspect the demolition of houses on riverine land along the Nairobi River on May 6.

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PSC