Motorists to sue State over damages by Nairobi-Nakuru highway protesters

Trouble started after two middle-aged men were hit and killed by speeding vehicles in two separate accidents at the same spot.PHOTO:COURTESY

More than 30 motorists whose cars were smashed during a demonstration in Naivasha along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway on Sunday evening plan to sue the State for compensation.

The motorists say they suffered damages worth millions of shillings when residents of Kayole in Naivasha smashed their cars while protesting the death of two pedestrians.

During the protest, a popular hotel had its window panes smashed by local residents who were demanding erection of speed bumps at a black spot on the highway.

Trouble started after two middle-aged men were hit and killed by speeding vehicles in two separate accidents at the same spot.

A motorist, Patrick Mugo, said the road was blocked by youths who smashed car windows during the demonstration.

Mr Mugo said they were assessing damage costs before suing the Government for compensation.

"We were just innocent motorists heading to various destinations but the residents would hear none of it and smashed our vehicles using stones as the police watched," he said.

 HOTEL DAMAGE

He said customers that were enjoying themselves at Sunny Hill Hotel also had their vehicles destroyed during the demonstration.

Another motorist, Susan Njue, said some of them had to seek shelter in Naivasha town so that their vehicles could be repaired.

"We could not proceed to our various destinations as our vehicles had been damaged extensively and we wonder who will pay for the losses we incurred," she said.

She said though the residents had a right to demonstrate, there was no reason to cause damage and blamed the police for their slow response.

James Kabono, a local leader, said at least two people are killed every month at the black spot.

"We first complained and the Kenya National Highways Authority put bumps at Karai and Kinungi areas but they should also consider doing the same in Kayole as well," he said.