Police have apprehended a suspect who is said to have been transporting stolen Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) railway materials in Kibini area, Kajiado County, using a lorry.
In a statement on Thursday, July 17, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that the suspect was intercepted following a tip-off.
The railway materials included 61 railway sleepers and 60 rail bars, according to the officers. The operation was spearheaded by officers from the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU) and police from the Sultam Hamud Police post.
"Today, 17 July 2025 – Officers from the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU), working collaboratively with colleagues from the Sultan Hamud Police Post, acted on a tip-off and intercepted a lorry suspected of transporting stolen railway materials in the Kibini area," NPS stated.
"Upon inspection at Sultan Hamud Police Post, the vehicle was found to be carrying 61 railway sleepers and 60 rail bars, suspected to have been vandalised from the railway line," It added.
The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed that security agencies have launched investigations into the matter, and the suspect is awaiting arraignment in court.
"NPS commends the officers for their swift action and reiterates its commitment to protecting critical infrastructure and bringing vandals to justice," it stated.
In Kenya, any person caught vandalising railway infrastructure is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life.
In a statement issued in December 2024, the Kenya Railways Corporation cautioned Kenyans against vandalising railway infrastructure, stressing that such actions pose a great risk to passengers.
The Corporation urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report cases of vandalism to law enforcement immediately.
"We wish to notify the public that vandalism of railway property is a crime punishable by law. The safety of our passengers is of paramount importance to us,” Kenya Railways said.
During his time as the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that acts of vandalism of railway infrastructure would be treated as acts of terror.
