Kipchumba Murkomen, the Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS), has claimed that the damages at the Mlolongo Expressway Toll Station could exceed Ksh.706.7 million ($5 million).
This comes after raucous demonstrators uprooted fences, barricaded, and destroyed the road during anti-government demonstrations on Wednesday, disrupting traffic on the route.
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CS Murkomen, speaking during a road inspection on Thursday, noted that, in addition to the damage to the Expressway, protesters destroyed three railway stations and other critical infrastructures by targeting tradeable commodities.
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"Three railway stations were damaged during yesterday's protests." We saw pre-planned strikes on critical infrastructure. They arrived with copper wire-cutting equipment. They chose materials that they could sell,' he explained.
"The damage could be over $5 million on the expressway not adding the damage to the railway stations."
According to Murkomen, an ongoing investigation has already resulted in the arrest of more than 50 persons, with more expected to be caught as intelligence authorities analyze CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators.
The Transport Minister further added that all individuals found accountable would bear the damages' cost and return the exchequer for the amount paid.
He added that the government will hold those accountable by arresting and charging everyone involved to file a civil suit to hold all of the organizers accountable.
Murkomen condemned the violence observed during the protests and warned anybody organizing another protest that they would encounter no leniency from the authorities, adding that such behaviour would not be permitted in the future.
He stated that destroying property is not civilized to handle a political issue because nothing was achieved during yesterday's demonstrations.
He added that The President and the Cabinet will do everything in their power to end this behaviour, and Those who intend to repeat this act will face the full power of the law
