By PATRICK BEJA
Police in Coast Province have launched a crackdown on vandals of railway lines. The officers impounded railway bars worth more than Sh30 million in two vehicles.
Police announced they would now require scrap metal dealers to show letters or documents issued by their suppliers or sources of such materials.
Those dealing in railway parts must have letters from Kenya Railway Corporation or the Rift Valley Railway.
Metal dealers will also have to show letters from the National Environment Management Authority.
Coast Provincial Police Officer (PPO) Aggrey Adoli said a trailer carrying railway bars worth more than Sh20 million was impounded at a steel factory in Mombasa.
regular use
Two people were arrested in the operation and are set to appear in court. Managers of the steel firm, which he could not disclose citing ongoing investigations have also recorded statement with police.
In the second incident, a truck was impounded in Changamwe with railway bars worth more than Sh10 million.
“Our crackdown has been extended to Taveta because vandals threaten to destroy the whole railway system even as Kenya prepares to build more transport infrastructure,” Adoli said Thursday.
Rift Valley Railway security officer Samuel Matano admitted that vandals have targeted the line particularly sections, which are not in regular use.
“There is a syndicate involving vandalism of the lines, which are sold to scrap metal dealers,” Matano said.
traffic signs
Adoli noted that vandals were also targeting transformers, electricity cables, vehicle chassis, road guardrails and signposts.
“They are threatening electricity supply and posing dangers to road users after stealing traffic signs. We are now targeting vandals and buyers,” he said.
The PPO said a police squad would visit all scrap metal outlets and ask dealers to disclose suppliers of their wares.
