Bumps erected on the highways by members of the public illegal- KENHA

KIRINYAGA: All bumps erected between Kerugoya and Kutus towns along the main highway have been declared illegal and those behind it risk prosecution for interfering with a public road.

The Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA), Mt. kenya regional manager Joseph Kaburia also declared those erected at Kianjiru market along the Embu-Mwe road illegal.

He said it was KENHA's responsibility to erect bumps along any section of the road that may be deemed dangerous to pedestrians and motorists and not individuals who have no technical knowhow.

''The move to erect bumps and worse still using poor quality material along the highways and without authority is tantamount to mob justice . This habit cannot be allowed to continue as though the law does not exist,'' he warned.

Kaburia said his officers have been dispatched to the affected sections of the two highways to oversee the removal of the bumps.

The manager warned that should those who erected the bumps be identified, they will certainly be arrested and charged in court.

He said residents of any particular section of a highway have a right to approach his office should they see the need for bumps to be erected.

''Once residents raise their concerns over a particular section of a highway, we certainly moves to the area and carry out a study to ascertain if bumps are necessary or not but this culture of taking the law into your hands can not be condoned,'' Kaburia said.

There has been hue and cry from motorists after waking up one morning only to find the bumps erected and without any warning signs.

Some of the motorists said their vehicles were damaged on ramming into the bumps due to lack of warning signs.

''My engine suspension bushes and mountings were damaged after I suddenly rammed into the bumps near Gakoigo trading center along the Kutus-Kerugoya road since no one bothered to put a warning sigh,'' said James Wanjohi, a private car owner.

Yesterday Kaburia said his officers will from now on be patrolling the highways within his jurisdiction just in case those living near the area could have any concerns over road safety.