The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has raised concern over cases of vandalism on Nairobi roads
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the organisation's communications officer John Cheboi disclosed that many roads in the city have been vandalized in the recent past.
Cheboi revealed that newly completed sections on Outer Ring Road, Ngong Road and Upper Hill Road have been targeted by individuals seeking to sell scrap metals.
"The destruction of the roads endangers the lives of road users as it affects traffic flow. Removal of street lights leads to large sections of darkness causing poor visibility," he explained.
He also noted that the maintenance of roads was an expensive venture and was costing the government hundreds of millions.
Some of the most targeted objects include street poles, guard rails, wires, road signs on the urban road network.
Vandalism cases have also been reported on Thika Super-Highway, Outer Ring-Road, Ngong Road and Lang’ata Road.
A report released on September 25, 2020, revealed that over 30 street poles worth Ksh 2.5 million were vandalized and carted away by gangs in Nairobi City County in an organized crime syndicate in a span of three months.
The authority revealed that for the period between January and March 2020, over 40 street poles worth Ksh7 million had been destroyed.
Kemboi observed that fewer cases of vandalism had been reported during the Covid-19 pandemic with the night curfew being a major factor.
The Authority also engaged security officers besides carrying out regular patrols on the roads where the incidences were likely to occur.
Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) has pledged a Ksh100,000 reward to anyone with information on road vandals.
The Government is investing over Ksh300 billion each year in the provision of road infrastructure, improvement of non-motorized transport, installation of street and traffic lights, guard rails, traffic signs, and other amenities are vital components of modern road infrastructure.
Beyond the road sector, various companies have experienced losses with Kenya Power reporting billions of losses of transformers and illegal connections.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had issued strong warning on vandals of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) stating that he would not allow a few people to interfere with the rights of the present and future generations.
"I'm the only one authorised to approve a capital punishment, but I have never done it. I preferred pardoning the guilty and having them serve life imprisonment sentences.
"But those who will be sentenced for destruction of public property. God forgive me. I will approve their hanging," he proclaimed in 2017.
