Vandals strike Thika superhighway

A section of the Thika Super Highway which was constructed by a Chinese firm. Some road signs and guard rails on the newly-built multi-billion-shilling superhighway are missing, less than a year since it was commissioned by former President Mwai Kibaki. Photo| FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By JOHN NJAGI jnjagi@ke.nationmedia.com
May 28  2013 20:45

 

 

 

 

In Summary

• Kenya Power reportedly incurs Sh6 billion losses yearly through stolen electricity cables and transformers, according to company sources.
• Banking, telecommunications, road construction and electricity distribution sector players spend billions of shillings in importing metals not produced locally, only for criminals to steal them and export them to other countries in lucrative illegal deals.

Some road signs and guard rails on the newly-built multi-billion-shilling Thika superhighway are missing, less than a year since it was commissioned by former President Mwai Kibaki.

This has been due to vandalism by unscrupulous traders, who mint billions by exporting scrap metal.

Motorists using the superhighway are already experiencing difficulty as most of the road signs as well as street light poles have been pulled down by thieves. Reflectors on the road have also been targeted.

The situation has been made worse due to lack of a law to impose stiffer penalties on the culprits.

Take stern action

Kenya National Highways Authority public relations manager Clara Ouko said the firm spends up to Sh4 million a month paying private firms to secure metallic installations on roads throughout the country, but that had not deterred the thieves.

During the road’s official opening, Mr Kibaki promised that the government would take stern action against vandals who destroy the Thika Superhighway that cost the government and development partners over Sh30 billion to build.

Vandals also target Kenya Power equipment.

Kenya Power reportedly incurs Sh6 billion losses yearly through stolen electricity cables and transformers, according to company sources.

Centre for Environmental Action chairman Karanja Njoroge said export of stolen metal to countries such as India and South Africa was wanton.

Prof Njoroge and other stakeholders in the scrap metal industry are pushing for the re-introduction of the Scrap Metal Bill, which, they feel, will provide a solution to the problem.

Lucrative illegal deals

The Bill that the Industrialisation ministry drafted proposes, among other things, a Sh20 million fine or seven years in jail for those found with metal whose origin cannot be traced and a ban on export trade.

Banking, telecommunications, road construction and electricity distribution sector players spend billions of shillings in importing metals not produced locally, only for criminals to steal them and export them to other countries in lucrative illegal deals.

The practice has put the Trade ministry and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on the spot, as they are involved in issuing licences in trade in scrap metal and clearing goods for export respectively.

KRA communications manager Kennedy Onyonyi said it was a challenge inspecting 100 per cent of goods being exported.

“We conduct 100 per cent risk profiling once we receive information that certain containers destined for export contain suspect goods. In normal circumstances, it is difficult to check thoroughly all items destined for export,” he said.

Restricted trade 
The Trade ministry initiated a ban on exportation of scrap metals from Kenya in June 2010, but when the request was submitted to the East African Community Council of Ministers, an amendment was made, allowing restricted trade within the region.