Kenya: World Bank cash to move rail squatters

[John Ashworth]

From Kenya's Saturday Nation, September 10, 2011, p 35 (hard copy)

WB cash to move rail squatters

By Mwaniki Wahome

The World Bank has given out money to help the Kenya Railways relocate and house people who have settled near the railway line in Nairobi's Kibera and Mukuru areas.

The Ministry of Transport yesterday advertised tenders for consultancy services for relocating squatters who have invaded the railway lines at Kibera and Mkuru into new homes.

The consultants will also advise on the best way to keep squatters out permanently.

The ministry also advertised for specialists to run the resettlement houses and deal with the disputes that are bound to crop up.

The Ministry and Kenya Railways Corporation have drawn up a relocation plan.

The bid winner will review the plan, supervise the construction of teh houses and safety infrastructure, such as a fence, to keep out the squatters.

The work will take 24 to 30 months and is set to start in December.

The specialists will oversee construction of houses, shops, bridges and footpaths.

The project is part of a campaign to fast track the East African Community Common Market protocol on trade and transport.