Court Blocks Ksh11 billion Riruta-Ngong Rail Project Following Pending Petition

TANDAO MEDIA.

The High Court has temporarily halted the construction of the Ksh11 billion Riruta-Lenana-Ngong commuter railway line following a petition filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and two others.

In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, January 20, the court also suspended disbursements from the Railway Development Levy Fund until questions surrounding funding and legal procedures are resolved.Omtatah moved to court challenging the expenditure of a Ksh2.824 trillion budget allocation earmarked for several railway projects, including the 12.5-kilometre Riruta-Ngong line. He argued that the government failed to secure parliamentary approval, conduct adequate public participation, or subject the allocations to transparent scrutiny before releasing funds.

The petitioners further questioned the use of the Railway Development Levy Fund, claiming it was being misapplied under the Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act.They alleged that money was diverted from the fund or the Consolidated Fund without Parliament’s consent.In granting interim orders, the judge stated that halting construction was necessary in the interest of justice until the matter is fully heard.Omtatah’s petition contends that bypassing statutory compliance undermines constitutional principles of accountability, good governance and public finance management.

It also argues that the public and lawmakers were not adequately informed about the cost breakdown and long-term fiscal implications of the projects.The Riruta-Ngong commuter rail project was commissioned in December 2024 by President William Ruto as part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.Government documents describe it as the first phase of a wider commuter network stretching from Riruta through Karen, Bulbul and Ngong, with future extensions planned towards Kiserian and Ongata Rongai.

The railway is intended to ease traffic congestion in Nairobi and provide affordable mass transit options for city residents.