Damage on the expressway to cost taxpayer Sh500 million

The Transport Ministry estimates that the taxpayer will incur expenses worth over Sh500 million to repair a section of the Nairobi Expressway that was destroyed during Wednesday’s anti-government protests.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during the tour along the new route to assess the damage said the cost could be higher than the stated figure since investigations are still underway.

Angry protesters destroyed fences, grills, destroyed flower pots and vandalised computer equipment at the SGR and Mlolongo toll stations’ booths. The section between JKIA and Mlolongo of the 27km Expressway remained closed as the contract undertook repair works.

“These were not just ordinary protests. Criminals were to cause mayhem in what appears to be a well-organised crime. If you look at the damage caused, they were targeting to loot valuables to sell including copper wires and scrap metal,” Murkomen said.

The CS said that three railway stations were also destroyed during the protests that had been organised by the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya alliance.

Murkomen said that about 50 protesters who were part of the rowdy youth who destroyed the infrastructure were arrested and are helping the police to investigate the matter so that the masterminds can be identified.

He warned that those who planned the attack will pay for the cost of the repair which is expected to run for two weeks.

“The agreement between the government and the contractor who manages the road is that the government will meet the expenses of repair in case of eventualities like these ones. However, the Ministry of Transport will instigate civil cases against those found to be culpable of orchestrating the vandalism. They must be held accountable and pay every penny so that the taxpayer’s money that caters for repair can be reimbursed,” Murkomen added.

The road which is one of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy projects has 11 tolling stations, 54 toll plazas, and 54 cameras along the route and another 126 cameras inside the toll plazas.

Three people were shot at Mlolongo when protestors invaded Mombasa road stoning motorists and vandalising metal grills and destroying flower pots. Moja Expressway Company, the firm that runs the road said that none of its employees was injured during the incident.

Murkomen condemned the opposition for organising anti-government protests but failed to control their supporters who went on a rampage. He said that security along the route will be beefed up alongside other critical infrastructural installations to avert such losses occurring in the future.

“How does destroying property in the name of protesting lower the cost of living? This is a wrong approach to air grievances. Politics should not be used to disturb peace and instil fear in people,” Murkomen remarked.

The CS maintained that the government will not give the opposition room to hold the country at ransom adding that such occurrences will be fiercely resisted in future.

“The government machinery will remain vigil and this kind of behaviour must be brought to an end. Anybody inciting Kenyans to hooligans and hide behind protests will be met with the full force of law,” the CS warned.

Meanwhile, Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) are now free to use Expressway after the government lifted a suspension that prohibited them from using the road in a bid to enhance mobility within the city.

The ban was placed mid-last year after cases of accidents involving PSVs on the road increased.

According to Murkomen, MOJA Expressway Company, the operator of the Nairobi Expressway, has continuously engaged key stakeholders in the Matatu industry to create awareness on proper road usage and safety as well as sensitising matatu saccos on the terms and conditions of using the Nairobi Expressway during the ban period.

The Transport Ministry said that motorists have embraced the new road as records show that by February this year, there were 10 million trips on the toll road.