A section of activists in Mombasa have besieged private investors who’s leases on Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) lands have expired to vacate the said lands to pave way for the extension of the Meter gauge railway.

The activists claim influential business tycoons have overstayed their durations on lands which some apparently are public utilities hence curtailing development projects, the most significant yet being the soon to be commissioned meter gauge railway.  

Human rights activist Evans Momanyi said the meter gauge railway is a critical piece of infrastructure that will ease the movement of people within the CBD to the SGR Station in Miritini but risks losing its efficiency and usefulness if private developers do not move from KRC lands.

Momanyi added that action against the lease defaulters should be prompt to allow KRC to prioritize the extension of the railway to the Likoni crossing channel.

Port user Micheal Nato echoed Momanyi’s sentiments saying that public land in the hands of private individuals should be reverted.

Nato called on the relevant authorities to action the eviction of any private entity operating on public lands unlawfully.

He noted that it was a trend that had plagued the National government , and it was timely for amends to give the public the much-needed development in the Country.