The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), the National Government Administrative Office (NGAO), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) have kicked off an eviction exercise targeting illegal squatters occupying pipeline wayleave land across the country.
In an update on Tuesday, March 18, KPC explained that the move aims to protect communities living near the pipeline from potential hazards posed by human activities near the oil infrastructure.
KPA said the evictions, which kicked off on Tuesday in Embakasi, follow a series of public sensitization forums held in October 2024, as well as two official eviction notices and reminders.
Speaking on the operation, KPC Pipeline Wayleave Manager Stanley Manduku highlighted the importance of securing the wayleave.
"While regrettable, evicting the illegal settlers is necessary to avert potential catastrophes like oil spills or fires that could occur if the pipeline is compromised.
Read More
"KPC has followed all legal procedures, and the evictions are underpinned by a court ruling. We have also sought alternative dispute resolution mechanisms before resorting to evictions as a last recourse," he said.
Manduku further explained that KPC had extensively engaged the affected communities before proceeding with the evictions.
He also mentioned that the company pledged to provide modest facilitation fees to assist affected households with relocation.
"We are committed to carrying out these evictions humanely and peacefully, with utmost respect for human dignity. Our close collaboration with local leaders and security agencies will ensure the process is conducted professionally," he added.
To prevent future encroachments, KPC has announced plans to erect perimeter fences and enhance surveillance along the pipeline corridors.
The beginning of these evictions comes barely a month after KPC, through a public notice, warned illegal settlers and businesses to vacate the wayleave.
"KPC has observed widespread and unlawful encroachment on this Wayleave. Unauthorized activities include the construction of illegal structures, informal settlements and markets, and business operations directly atop the pipeline.
"Further investigations have revealed that unscrupulous landowners and dealers are illegally subdividing and selling portions of the Wayleave to unsuspecting buyers. These subdivisions often fail to provide access roads, leading to the misuse of KPC’s Wayleave as public access routes," the notice read in part.
The notice explicitly stated that all illegal structures and operations would be removed within 60 days, with non-compliance leading to immediate enforcement action.
"These illegal actions severely obstruct KPC’s maintenance operations, undermine KPC’s ability to ensure pipeline safety, and compromise the structural integrity of the pipeline, creating the potential for catastrophic failures that pose a grave and imminent threat to human life, property, and the environment.
"In light of these violations, KPC hereby issues notice to the effect that all illegal encroachments, including structures and activities, must be removed within 60 days from the date of this notice. Failure to comply will result in KPC initiating immediate enforcement action to clear all encroachments without further notice," the notice added.
-1728108852.jpg)
