Nairobi Expressway operator on Wednesday, July 12, confirmed that Mlolongo, Syokimau and Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) toll stations have been closed indefinitely following the destruction of parts of the road.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Moja Express Public Relations Manager Jeanne May Ong'iyo noted that the operator and the government officials are set to convene a meeting to assess the damages before repairing the sections that were destroyed during the protests.
Ong'iyo added that the operator can not rush to open the highway before guaranteeing the safety of motorists on the road that runs from Mlolongo to Westlands.
Motorists who exit at Mlolongo, Syokimau and SGR toll stations will now have to exit at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
"The toll stations will remain closed for now. There are a lot of stakeholders involved so they will convene in a meeting to discuss the cost implications and the way forward. Once the toll stations are ready, we will release a statement," Ong'iyo stated.
"As of now, what I can assure you is that Moja Expressway will heighten security along the entire road after the chaos that was witnessed because no one anticipated that the maandamano would spill over onto the expressway."
She further revealed that the toll attendants at the affected stations were safely evacuated before the protests erupted.
She pointed out that the police officers, who were dispatched to the area at the time managed to disperse the rowdy youth who went on a rampage, approximately 1 kilometre into the highway.
"We cannot really say how long it will take for us to resume operations but as soon as we have resumed, we will make a statement," she stated.
The chaos drew the ire of various political leaders including Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and his Transport counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen.
While condemning the violence, Murkomen directed Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohamed to track the perpetrators using CCTV cameras and media reports.
He also warned that the government would not condone lawlessness and going forward, such actions would be dealt with firmly according to the law.
"We have asked the Office of the Director of Criminal Investigations, through the Office of the Inspector General of Police to carry out thorough investigations and ensure the perpetrators of such heinous acts, many of who were captured on CCTV cameras and by the media, are apprehended and punished," Murkomen stated.
On the other hand, CS Kindiki asserted that the government would spare no effort to capture the protestors who damaged property.
"This culture of impunity will stop. All those who took part, directly or indirectly, in today's well-orchestrated violation of public safety and security of our nation shall be punished," read part of CS Kindiki's statement.
