Murkomen Reads Riot Act To Azimio After Protestors Destroy Nairobi Expressway

Murkomen further called on the Azimio coalition to ensure that their supporters do not replicate similar acts as was witnessed along the Nairobi Expressway and other major roads on Wednesday.

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Jul 12, 2023 - 17:47 Updated: Jul 12, 2023 - 18:04
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Murkomen Reads Riot Act To Azimio After Protestors Destroy Nairobi Expressway
Side by side image of Transport CS, Kipchumba Murkomen and a vandalised section of the Nairobi Expressway on July 12, 2023. /KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN.SETH OLALE

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen on Wednesday, July 12 announced that the Azimio la Umoja coalition will, going forward, bear responsibility for the losses incurred through wanton destruction of property, theft and vandalism during the ongoing anti-government protests.

In a statement, Murkomen noted that the Ministry of Roads and Transport condemned the acts of vandalism and destruction of public infrastructure - built with taxpayers’ money - committed by supporters of the Azimio coalition.

"We have asked the Office of the Director of Criminal Investigation, 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.

Protestors vandalise Nairobi Expressway toll stations and light up tyres near Mlolongo, Machakos County on July 12, 2023. /KIMANI ICHUNG'WAH

"As a country, we cannot normalise such acts of violence, lawlessness and vandalism committed on the pretext of exercising political rights," stated the CS in part.

Murkomen further called on the Azimio coalition to ensure that their supporters do not replicate similar acts as was witnessed along the Nairobi Expressway and other major roads on Wednesday.

"Going forward, organisers of demonstrations must guarantee that their supporters will not repeat such acts of lawlessness, failure to which they will be held personally responsible for losses incurred through theft, vandalism, and the destruction of public infrastructure and property," added the CS.

The vandalisation of the Expressway was criticised by a section of politicians and prominent figures including lawyer Miguna Miguna, who was at the same time vocalising Kenyans' disappointment by the Kenya Kwanza administration’s slowness to address their concerns.

“It’s true that Kenya Kwanza has failed to communicate effectively on whatever programs and concrete initiatives they have put in place to alleviate the biting high cost of living,” Miguna stated.

Miguna however accused Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga of taking advantage of the economic situation to cause havoc, appealing to Kenyans not to destroy property while protesting.

“Fellow Kenyans, destroying the highways, roads and property you paid for with your taxes and whose repair and reconstruction you will pay for isn’t the most productive way to express your anger,” he added.

“You have a right to protest peacefully. Not to cause mayhem and havoc. Remember that tomorrow, it’s your taxes that will pay for what you have destroyed.”

During the demos, the Nairobi Expressway toll barriers in Mlolongo were destroyed, forcing Mojo Expressway, the company that is managing the expressway, to temporarily close the road.

Hours later, Raila announced that he called off its protest rally at Kamukunji grounds, claiming that there was a plan by Kenya Kwanza to disrupt the rally using armed goons.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) on July 12 estimated that the ongoing anti-government protests were costing Kenya an average of Ksh3 billion per day.

"We acknowledge the significance of picketing as a means for individuals to express their concerns and complaints, and we uphold the essential right to peaceful assembly and protests. However, the growing destruction of properties and especially targeting businesses for boycotts last week and destruction this week negatively affect economic and social stability, which the private sector requires to foster growth.

"Weaponisation of the country’s economic drivers is occasioning unnecessary losses to the tune of about Kshs3 billion daily. For a struggling economy, hard hit by the effects of a prolonged drought, general elections, and economic slowdown last year and compounded by general global economic challenges, Kenya can ill afford the political activities currently at play," KEPSA warned.

KEPSA further projected that the country may lose Ksh90 billion every month as a result of the unrest affecting the government's finances and the livelihoods of ordinary Kenyans.

A police officer firing teargas to disperse protestors on July 12, 2023. /FACEBOOK

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