Why Kenyans Must Pay Chinese Ksh707M In A Month For Nairobi Expressway Damages
The CS further noted that the government will have to pay the operator within the next 28 days as contained in the contract between the operator and the government.
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Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen on Thursday, July 13 revealed that the tax-paying Kenyan will have to cough up nearly Ksh707 million to cater for damages done on the Nairobi Expressway during the Azimio la Umoja anti-government protests.
Murkomen spoke during the inspection of the Mlolongo toll station to assess the damage that was done during the protests that took place on Wednesday, July 12, prompting the operator to halt operations at the toll station.
The CS further noted that the government will have to pay the operator within the next 28 days as contained in the contract between the operator and the government.
An aerial view of Nairobi Expressway. /MOJA EXPRESSWAY
"The people who have been organizing this mass action have told the nation they are doing so because they want to fight the cost of living but the damage only done on the Expressway for that short period could be anything up to $5 million (Ksh706.5 million).
"Under the agreement, Kenyans must pay for the damage within 28 days," he stated.
He further claimed that the money would be refunded by those who organised and took part in the destruction of various equipment on the Expressway.
“As per the agreement we have with Moja Express, the taxpayer is going to pay for this damage. We will not allow the already overburdened Wanjiku to pay this on their own, we will make sure that all those who organized this mass action yesterday are going to personally pay,” said Murkomen.
“They will carry vicarious liability for every damage that was caused and for every penny that will be paid from the exchequer they will be asked to indemnify the people of Kenya and they will have to pay.”
Murkomen further lived up to his plea to authorities by revealing that 50 people were arrested in connection with damages sustained on the Expressway, lauding the CCTV cameras erected along the multi-billion road which helped in tracking down the suspects.
"We want to assure the investors that the government is going to do everything to make sure that all the perpetrators are brought to justice.
"Those planning to cause damage again will meet the full force of the law. We will make it very painful for them, not just now but for the rest of their lives," he went on.
Some of the equipment that was damaged in the Wednesday chaos included the flower pots and metallic guard rails.
The CS added that the government was still investigating damages done to other infrastructure before a full report is revealed.
On Wednesday, July 12, Moja closed sections of the road indefinitely following the anti-government protests that saw the multi-billion road extensively damaged as well as toll services at Mlolongo, Syokimau and Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) toll stations stopped temporarily.
"For your safety, we urge all motorists plying the Westlands-Mlolongo route to exit from JKIA and Mlolongo-Westlands bound motorists to safely join the Nairobi Expressway from JKIA Toll Station," the operator announced.
"We ask for your patience as we restore the road to its original state and heighten security before the resumption of operations in the 3 affected Toll Stations."
