Thika town exit road stalls as county, prison authorities clash

The construction of a Sh200 million dual carriageway exit in Thika town that was recently launched by the county government has stalled.

This follows objections raised by the management of the Thika GoK Prison.

The prison authorities argue the proposed road was a threat to the safety of the inmates.

A one kilometre stretch of the three kilometre road was to pass near the prison's compound.

The road had been initiated to ease the heavy traffic jam that has become a nightmare for motorists and residents in the town.

On Saturday, there was  stand-off  between the prison and county government officials when both teams clashed at the disputed piece of land.

The county officials, led by Roads chief officer Lucas Wahinya and who was accompanied by the county askaris, were roughed up by the prison warders who were led by the officer in-charge of the prison.

USE FORCE

"Even if we will have to use force, this road has to be made. The piece of land the prison is claiming to be theirs is not since it is a road reserve," said Mr Wahinya.

However, Thika Prison head Samson Kunzu maintained the county was encroaching on the prison land without the authority from the Interior ministry which was the custodian of prison land countrywide.