Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a man suspected of vandalism which caused a delay in the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) services on Monday, November 22.
In a statement, the DCI stated the suspect was caught after detectives received a tip-off from a member of the public on the whereabouts of the items stolen from the railway line.
The DCI on Saturday, November 27, reported that the scrap metal dealer was responsible for the vandalism of railway gauge blocks.
Sleuths jumped on the suspect at his scrap metal store in Kinyambu, Mtito Andei, as he loaded the gauge blocks into a lorry destined for the lucrative scrap metal market.
They also arrested the truck driver as he attempted to escape from the store.
"Police officers recovered all the 22 pieces of Gauge Blocks and 1 Fish Plate vandalised from the SGR line. The items were part of a haul that was being loaded into a waiting lorry at a scrap metal yard at the machinery trading centre, Kinyambu," the police stated.
The two will be charged with economic sabotage among other offences for vandalising the Standard Gauge Railway which police termed as a key national infrastructure that supports the socio-economic development of our country.
"While the service is mandated to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, we strongly warn business people against similar unscrupulous dealings. National Police Service will take strong action against any unlawful act or an act of sabotage along with the railway infrastructure," the police stated.
In their statement, the DCI said the disappearance of the critical blocks led to the stoppage of operations along the busy railway line for two hours, as railway engineers and security officers inspected the extent of the damage caused.
"The greed by scrap metal dealers to make quick profits through the sale of the gauge blocks which ensure that the width of the railway line is maintained could have led to devastating consequences including the derailment of a train," DCI warned.
Passengers aboard the Nairobi and Mombasa bound Madaraka Express were left stranded on Monday evening after both trains were stopped midway over a safety scare on the rail path.
The incident came barely a week after yet another SGR train stalled midway on November 18. According to Kenya Railways, the train developed mechanical problems causing undue delay and inconvenience to the passengers.
