The Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC) has clarified its role in the ongoing removal of structures on the Kaptembwo land in Nakuru County.
Speaking to the Star on Friday, KPC’s Stanley Manduku emphasised that the removal is being carried out voluntarily by the business owners, not by the corporation itself.
He explained that the corporation had initially given the owners a three-month notice, as part of a public participation process.
"The public participation was so effective that the business owners began removing the structures ahead of the deadline, which is late March," Manduku noted.
He reassured the public that KPC had not initiated any removals, nor had they dispatched personnel for the task.
KPC operates a vast underground pipeline network stretching over 1,342 kilometres from Mombasa to Kisumu and Eldoret.
The network, which is highly pressurised, runs through designated wayleaves — areas that are kept clear for the pipeline's safety and maintenance.
These wayleaves are typically 30 metres wide, although in some areas, they are shared with other infrastructure bodies like Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).
In Kaptembwo, KPC operates underground as Kenya Power manages the overhead power lines.
Manduku explained that many people had mistakenly believed the clear land above the underground pipes was idle, leading them to construct structures on these wayleaves.
"What has happened is that people see the wayleave clear and assume it is unused land," he said.
To address these encroachments, KPC initiated a sensitisation campaign in the area, working with county leaders, KPLC and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
The aim was to educate the community about the importance of maintaining clear access for the pipeline and other infrastructure.
During public meetings, it was made clear that all permanent structures would need to be removed by the owners voluntarily, or they would face forced removal.
KPC’s primary concern is to carry out urgent maintenance on the pipeline, which has been compromised by erosion in some areas.
Some soil levels have dropped dangerously low, putting the safety of the pipeline at risk.
As part of the restoration efforts, KPC has already began bringing in soil from local construction sites to improve the soil cover over the pipes.
The process started on January 15, 2025, and is expected to take several months.
"We’ve already dumped over 1,000 lorries of soil, and the work is progressing," Manduku said.
"So far, we’ve completed 30 percent of the work, but we still have a long way to go. We need a total of about 3,000 lorries of soil to restore the entire area."
The restoration process is expected to take three to four months, after which KPC plans to begin contouring the land to ensure the long-term safety and stability of the pipeline infrastructure.
KPC is also addressing encroachments in other parts of the country, including Mombasa, where public participation meetings were held to engage the community and county authorities.
The corporation is working closely with KPLC for power disconnections and with the relevant regulatory bodies to ensure a smooth relocation process.
Manduku emphasised KPC's commitment to engaging encroachers humanely, acknowledging the positive response from the community.
"The feedback from the people shows they understand the importance of keeping our infrastructure clear of any encroachment," Manduku said
