Politicians inciting revolt against rail project warned

What you need to know:

  • Some Mombasa county assembly members had been visiting parcels of land, where the new railway will pass, to incite the residents, he claimed.
  • He said the National Land Commission had established procedures to be followed by anyone who has a grievance over the railway project.
  • Meanwhile, Mr Marwa, who is the chairman of the county security committee, said a police officer who accompanied an influential individual to a construction site and manhandled a contractor would be arrested.

Politicians have been warned against inciting residents to revolt against the construction of the new railway and the Dongo Kundu bypass.

County Commissioner Nelson Marwa yesterday said politicians found inciting the public against the government flagship projects would be arrested.

“Any politician or individual found politicising or inciting residents against the railway or the Dongo Kundu bypass will face the law,” he said during a media briefing in his office.

The county chief noted that the two infrastructure projects were important to Kenya’s development.

“Action will be taken against anybody found politicising or inciting people to oppose these projects.

“Regardless of an individual’s position, if we find anyone using words to incite wananchi, the government will arrest him on the spot,” he said. “Be assured of that.”

Some Mombasa county assembly members had been visiting parcels of land, where the new railway will pass, to incite the residents, he claimed.

“I am warning the assembly members, who are just public servants.

“Some of them went to Skembo Village to incite people. They should follow the right procedures if they have any issue.”

He said the National Land Commission had established procedures to be followed by anyone who has a grievance over the railway project.

 “The government will not tolerate inciters at all. The National Land Commission is available to listen to anyone through the right procedures,” he said.

No leader had been seen inciting people in Kwale, Voi, Makueni and Machakos counties, where the railway will also passing, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Marwa, who is the chairman of the county security committee, said a police officer who accompanied an influential individual to a construction site and manhandled a contractor would be arrested.

 “That police officer who went there and harassed people in the name of securing that individual will be apprehended, regardless of whom is operating for and is going to face the law.”

He said there had been a tendency of police officers working for public officials mistreating citizens.

Security officers should treat the public with respect, he added.