MOMBASA, Kenya — Jan 23, 2026—The government has intervened in the ongoing land dispute between Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) and Mombasa’s historic Little Theatre Club (LTC), signaling a possible resolution.
Transport Principal Secretary (PS), Mohammed Daghar convened a meeting with key stakeholders, including Mvita MP Mohammed Soud Machele, Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki, and LTC officials.
He announced plans to form a nine-member committee to study the matter over one month. The committee will explore ways to allow the development of a railway training institute on the land while upgrading the theatre facilities.
Daghar emphasized that the intervention aims to balance cultural preservation with development needs.
MP Machele welcomed the move, noting that the lack of a railway training institute in the coastal region has limited youth employment opportunities.
“This initiative will empower young people across the Coast with skills and job prospects within the railway sector,” he said.
LTC Chairperson, Daudi Anguka called for clear cooperation between Kenya Railways and stakeholders to protect the club’s cultural heritage.
Established in the late 1940s, the Little Theatre Club is one of Kenya’s oldest cultural institutions and is gazetted as a national monument.
Kenya Railways owns the land (Title: Mombasa/Block XLVIII/124) and has proposed redevelopment for training purposes, prompting fears among artists and heritage advocates about the theatre’s future.
The government’s move is viewed as a step towards a mediated solution that respects both heritage conservation and regional development needs.
