KeNHA to prosecute protestors over road damages

The continued demonstrations on electoral reforms have irked the Kenya National Highway Authority, KeNHA, which is mulling prosecution of protestors found damaging national roads.

According to the roads agency, fires lit by protestors have done serious damage on the structural integrity of roads leading to possible financial losses.

KeNHA chairman Eng. Erastus Mwongera said repair costs for a kilometer of road could be as much as Sh100 million per kilometer adding that persons found culpable will be prosecuted.

“Construction of paved roads is very costly undertaking. It is estimated a kilometer of road will cost Sh100 million and this translates to about Sh100,000  per meter of any bituminous surface  repair any person who unlawfully damages or in any way interferes with any road commits an offense,” said Eng Mwongera.

The National Super Alliance, NASA, had called for daily demonstrations against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as it maintains it will pull out from next week’s presidential election.

NASA has since suspended all demonstrations with opposition leader Raila Odinga expected to give a way forward on October 20.

The KeNHA chairman said would be liable to a conviction of two years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding Sh100,000 or both.

“We urge picketers and obey the rule of law and avoid burning the roads. Why we are worried about burning of the roads is because paved roads are made of petroleum products and the products re so inflammable. When you burn a tire made up of petroleum product as well this will often the surface of the road until it is removed from the base of the road,” he said.

Protesters have been barricading several roads with burning tires, bringing activities in some towns to a complete standstill.