The Kenya Railways Reclaims Encroached Land Along Kibra-Lang’ata Constituencies
Kibera residents watch in disbelief after demolition of their structures by KRC.
On Wednesday 14th January, 2026, Kenya Railways commenced demolition of structures encroaching on the railway corridor in Kibra Constituency and near Nyayo National Stadium.
The structures were brought down by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) in bid to reclaim its land for a new railway station, enhance safety and facilitate infrastructure developments.
The other reason for demolition was to upgrade railway line to facilitate transport through Kibera to Talanta Sports City in preparation to the forth coming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments.
The operations were carried out under heavy security presence and left hundreds of residents homeless and jobless. Numerous makeshift shelters and business premises were destroyed by the bulldozers.
The bulldozers moved in at dawn Wednesday 14th January and continued to next day 15th January, 2026. This was two weeks after eviction notices were served and several dialogues with residents as reminder.
Locations Affected Controversy
Specifically, the most affected areas include; Laini-Saba, Lindi and Sarang’ombe Wards including business premises near Nyayo National Stadium in Langa’ta Constituency.
The repossession has drawn attention after the demolition of properties along Douglas Wakiihuri Road, off Langata Road. Excavators and bulldozers, accompanied by police officers, moved into the area on Wednesday morning, removing semi-permanent structures and seizing vehicles and other property.
Affected businesses included a car yard, a car wash facility, and a restaurant. Debris remained on site, and sections of Douglas Wakiihuri Road were temporarily blocked, disrupting movement.
The demolitions included high-value properties, such as a business associated with Kimani Wamatangi, the Governor for Kiambu County, which he claimed was politically instigated owing to his political stand.
Wamatangi criticised the demolitions, calling them an “act of cowardice” and alleging that government offices were being used to intimidate him.
“Stop using government offices to ruin me. This is intended to silence me and remove me from my development agenda,” Wamatangi said.
Notices and Warnings
The KRC stated that all affected parties were issued prior notices to vacate the gazetted railway corridor and warned of further demolitions for any remaining illegal structures.
“Notices were issued to allow individuals and entities to vacate voluntarily. To this end, all encroachers were advised and issued with notices in good time to vacate the railway corridor to pave way for construction of the station and spur line,” KRC said.
Just a day to demolition, most encroachers who heeded to the warnings, went ahead and demolished their own structures safely to avoid property damage and loses to looters.
According to Peter Kithomo, a trader in scrapes along the railway, admitted encroachment and advanced notice served to them. He however, said majority are used to area and moving out will take time.
On the other hand, the KRC defended the action as necessary for national infrastructure projects not linked to or targeting any politicians.
“The 2026 demolitions are part of a broader, ongoing initiative to clear encroachers from railway land in Nairobi to improve commuter rail services,” KRC Official explained.
The government insisted the Nairobi commuter rail system will play a key role in easing congestion and managing crowd movement during the tournament.
The corporation added that demolition of illegal structures would continue and that any property remaining within the corridor would be removed at the owner’s risk and cost.
Nairobi police chief George Seda said officers were deployed to support KRC in reclaiming the land.
“The management says they notified the owner of the property to vacate, but there was resistance. We came in to help in the demolition,” he said, noting that no injuries were reported.
Kenya Railways did not comment directly on the dispute but reiterated that notices had been properly issued as part of the broader AFCON infrastructure plan.
AFCON Rail Transport
Preparations for AFCON 2027 have prompted transport and stadium upgrades across the region as host countries work to meet international standards.
The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has defended ongoing demolition and eviction operations along key railway corridors in Nairobi.
In a statement released Wednesday, KRC said all encroachers were issued notices in advance to vacate land earmarked for new commuter rail developments, part of preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The government is undertaking multi-modal transport projects in line with Kenya’s joint bid with Uganda and Tanzania to host the continental football tournament.
According Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials, Kenya will host matches at Talanta Sports City Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, while Nyayo National Stadium will serve as a central training venue.
Therefore, to support the efficient movement of fans, athletes, and officials, plans include; constructing a railway station adjacent to Nyayo National Stadium and a spur line running from Nairobi Central Station through Nyayo Stadium area and Kibera to Talanta Sports City Stadium.
KRC said the project aims to provide a “safe, reliable, and affordable commuter link” to the venues. The statement noted that the developments require repossession of railway land currently occupied by private businesses and informal structures.
The government is undertaking multi-modal transport projects in line with Kenya’s joint bid with Uganda and Tanzania to host the continental football tournament.
Churches in CBD Demolished
The KRC also issued notices to several property owners along Haile Selassie Avenue and Uhuru Highway for structures earmarked for possible demolition. Two prominent churches mentioned have since been demolished and sparking public debate.
However, officials and planning documents indicate that there should be no public misconception about the exercise, which is part of a long-planned national infrastructure project.
The affected properties lie within land reserved for the Nairobi Railway City Project, a Sh28 billion urban renewal initiative aimed at transforming the Nairobi Central Railway Station into a modern, integrated transport and commercial hub.
The project, which has been in planning for several years, is expected to ease congestion in the city, improve commuter rail services, and support Nairobi’s long-term urban development.
Importantly, Kenya Railways maintains that the churches and other affected entities have long been aware of the project. Stakeholder engagements, public notices, and government planning disclosures over the years have consistently identified the railway reserve as public land earmarked for expansion and redevelopment.
“As such, the enforcement was not a sudden or arbitrary move but initial phase going forward. It is contrary to claims circulated on social media but it is following the law and due process,” KRC emphasized.
KRC affirmed eviction notices were issued in advance, giving occupants time to vacate and, where applicable, seek legal redress. The corporation also noted that demolition only follows after notices lapsed and all legal avenues observed.
“Issuing notices before any demolition demonstrates restraint and adherence to the rule of law, especially when compared to past infrastructure projects that faced criticism for abrupt evictions,” KRC officials argued.
The corporation insisted that no structure was being targeted on religious, political, or personal grounds, but purely on the basis of land ownership and public interest.
As Nairobi continues to grapple with congestion and outdated transport infrastructure, the Railway City Project is seen as a flagship development for the capital.
Kenya Railways affirmed clearing encroachments on the railway reserve is essential for the project’s success and for safeguarding public land.
Ultimately, the corporation maintains that the process underway is about orderly development, transparency, and respect for the law, and not an attack on institutions or individuals.
