The national government has declared war on the rising cases of vandalism of critical public infrastructure at the Coast.
Coast regional commissioner John Elungata warned of a crackdown on vandals, who have been targeting key infrastructure for scrap metal business.
On Friday, Elungata said security agencies will deal firmly with vandals targeting railways, communication masts, electricity transformers and road infrastructure.
Vandalism menace of huge infrastructure projects including the Makupa bridge, Dongo Kundu bypass, Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and power and distribution lines in Mombasa county has been on the rise.
“Security and all other government agencies must work closely and share information to tame the vandalism menace and other criminal activities in the region,” he said.
He was speaking at Chandaria Hall in Mombasa during a meeting attended by representatives from security agencies and several heads of departments and parastatal chiefs.
The officials gave a detailed account of theft and damages of equipment amounting to millions of shillings through vandalism in their respective institutions.
Elungata called on the chiefs and their assistants to be on the lookout and share information with the security agencies involved in tackling vandalism and the now banned scrap metal business in their respective areas.
“Members of public must also help the authorities in protecting government investments, which are meant to serve them,” he said.
Recently, President Uhuru Kenyatta banned scrap metal business until guidelines to regulate the sector have been put in place.
This directive has already started yielding positive results in some parts of the country where scrap metal business has reduced significantly.
Director general of the National Transport and Safety Authority George Njao, Coast regional police commander Manase Musyoka and Mombasa county commissioner Lukas Mwanza were all present at the meeting.
Others were representatives from Kenya Power Company, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Pipeline Company and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
