Nakuru: 2 Men to Pay KSh 1 Million Fine for Removing Road Bump Signage Near Kabarak University
- A Nakuru court fined two men KSh 1 million each or 1.5 years jail sentence for removing road bump signage near Kabarak University
- KeNHA welcomed the court's ruling, condemned all acts of vandalism on road infrastructure, and urged the public to report such incidents via its toll-free number
- Kenyans on social media called for stiffer punishments and reported other cases of vandalism across the country
Elijah Ntongai, an editor at TUKO.co.ke, has over four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting experience, providing insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
A Nakuru court has fined two men KSh 1 million each for vandalising road infrastructure near Kabarak University.
Source: Twitter
The chief magistrate in Nakuru found the two individuals guilty of destruction of key public property.
What did the magistrate rule?
According to a statement by the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), the magistrate ruled that Kevin Barasa Nyongesa and James Juma Wekesa are subject to a fine or serving one and a half years in jail.
"A Nakuru Chief Magistrate has fined Kevin Barasa Nyongesa and James Juma Wekesa KSh 1,000,000 or serve a one and a half years’ sentence. This is for the offence of Destruction of Infrastructure contrary to Section 24(1) as read with Section 24(2) of the Scrap Metal Act No. 1 of 2015," KeNHA explained on X.
The two pleaded guilty to unlawfully removing a road bump signage along the Nakuru–Kabarak Road in Rongai Sub-County, Nakuru County.
The signage was classified as essential road infrastructure whose destruction posed a grave danger to motorists and other road users on the busy route.
KeNHA welcomes Nakuru magistrate's ruling
KeNHA welcomed the court’s verdict and condemned all acts of vandalism on public road infrastructure because they compromise road safety.
KeNHA urged the public to protect road infrastructure and report any vandalism to its offices or the nearest police station. The authority also provided a toll-free number, 0800211244, for reporting similar incidents on highways.
How did Kenyans react?
The report by KeNHA sparked many reactions on social media, with many Kenyans reporting similar incidents and calling for tougher punishment for the perpetrators.
@Shah_Meee said:
"Along Oloitoktok rd and Olenguruone ave in Kileleshwa has seen run away vandalism of roadside infrastructure, leaving motorists and pedestrians at risk of plunging into a river and ditches."
@MusaMMike said:
"Vandals are stealing the sturdy aluminum barriers on Nyali Bridge. KENHA then replaces them with thin normal iron sheets. Next accident and a vehicle will plunge into the water below."
@MakumiWainaina said:
"That's too lenient... 7 years would be better."
@WAMUCIIMAINA said:
"In Thika, near Blue Post, there are people vandalising the metal bridge. I get very annoyed walai, they just cut the metals."
@daviekihiu said:
"Wameiba hizi signs mpaka nashangaa don't the buyers feel guilty due to roads accidents and deaths that could have been avoided. Wafungwe tu."
@Samora12439394 said:
"Wafungwe 30 years plus, hiyo upuzi ndio inafanya tunastukia bumps hadi tunaharibu magari wengine wanapata accidents."
Govt resumes road constructions with KSh 175b loan
In other news, the government has resumed road construction projects in Kenya after getting a KSh 175 billion loan from the fuel levy securitisation plan.
The Ministry of Roads and Transport said the financial solution will help clear billions of shillings in pending bills that had stalled over 580 projects nationwide, including estate roads and major highways.
Contractors had previously abandoned sites due to a pending bill backlog of KSh 140 billion dating back to the Jubilee administration.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) explained that KSh 7 from the KSh 25 tax on every litre of fuel will be pooled into a financial instrument that will be sold to investors to raise immediate cash to pay contractors, cover interest on overdue payments, and compensate for land acquisition.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
