Taxpayers will bear the burden in the government's plan to repair infrastructure damaged during the Azimio la Umoja protests held in July 2023.
Speaking during the issuance of title deeds at Etoro Ltungai Adjudication section, Isiolo County, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen warned that, for instance, taxpayers would spend Ksh200 million to repair a few kilometres of roads in Kisumu County.
Over Ksh500 million will also be required to repair the Nairobi expressway and the On-Board Unit (OBU) identification machines and toll stations.
Murkomen argued that the opposition harboured a sinister motive as they demanded that the cost of living be lowered, yet its supporters destroyed public and private property.
"I'm perturbed that we use Ksh50 million to Ksh80 million in constructing a kilometre of road, depending on the area.
"We see the opposition claiming that they want the cost of living to go down, but their supporters burn tyres and destroy the roads," he stated.
The former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator confirmed that his ministry would support a petition filed by Martin Gitau, a private citizen, seeking to compel the Azimio principals to call off the demonstrations.
He added that the government would further seek court orders to hold Azimio's co-principals, Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, liable for the damages witnessed countrywide.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua further condemned the destruction of property and loss of lives attributed to the three-day protests organised by the opposition.
He, however, claimed that the police succeeded in derailing the protests, forcing the Azimio principals to either hide or miss the Wednesday, July 19, demonstrations.
"Yesterday, they saw that the protests failed, and then they gave a report while hiding saying the protests were successful and it should end at 5:00 pm, yet it's because he saw nothing is happening, and he says he's the one who stopped it," Gachagua stated at the same event attended by CS Murkomen.
"One Azimio principal admitted himself to hospital and told doctors to infuse him with water because he knows he is not sick, he is just avoiding maandamano," he further alleged.
Kenyans.co.ke could not independently establish the claims propagated by the DP, a staunch critic of the opposition.
