Pipeline: Residents risk life and limb at new picnic spot

 

It’s Sunday afternoon in Pipeline estate, Nairobi – and tens of families are already gathered at this new picnic spot along the Outering Road.

It’s a thin stretch of untouched green, on either side of the railway line, linking Nairobi and Embakasi.Families can be seen sitting on the grass – near the railway line – snacking. Many others are sitting alone, others are asleep on the grass.

Hawkers too are here – selling ice cream, sugarcane, sweets, sodas, biscuits, and balloons for children.

Residents of Pipeline estate pass time at the famous spot along Outering Road. [Photo/Courtesy]

 

Some three women can be seen braiding their hair – as their children play nearby. Others have brought their toddlers to busk in the sun, and count cars.

According to some of the residents, this new spot is famous with families especially on weekends, and during holidays.

The spot sits between the populous Pipeline, Tassia, Fedha estates, and the dangerous Outering Road, and then there is the railway line.

In 2022 – a United Nations meeting listed Outering Road as one of the most dangerous highways in the world.

“If a vehicle loses control, it can very easily plough through a mass of people who gather here regularly to picnic, even families,” says Robert Ouko, a resident of Pipeline.

Robert says he comes here every so often because there are no other open, public places in the area, where one can sit and enjoy the cool breeze, just sitting on the grass.

It’s, however, a very dangerous spot given its close proximity to the road, and the railway line.

“Pipeline estate is already quite populated, and has no open grounds for families to sit down and enjoy nature.

“This is why many people come here – despite the danger it portends,” says Ouko.

Robert says that guard rails, and a fence erected to demarcate the area were vandalised and the fence cut open, making it easy for people to access the spot from the estate (where a fence has been cut open) as well as from the  main road.

Philistia Kerubo, a mother of three, says she likes coming here to unwind with her family.

“I live in Tassia, but every weekend I come here to picnic in the evenings,” she says – adding that her family’s safety is often a concern because the area is very close to the road and the railway line.

Residents now want the area demarcated properly to allow them to enjoy nature safely, and responsible.

BY CITIZEN DIGITAL