The duo pleaded guilty to unlawfully removing a road bump signage along the Nakuru - Kabarak Road near Kabarak University. /KeNHAA Nakuru chief magistrate has fined two individuals Sh1,000,000 each or serve one-and-a-half years in prison for vandalising public infrastructure.
The duo pleaded guilty to unlawfully removing road bump signage along the Nakuru–Kabarak Road near Kabarak University in Rongai Subcounty, Nakuru County.
They were charged with the offence of destruction of infrastructure contrary to Section 24(1) as read with Section 24(2) of the Scrap Metal Act No. 1 of 2015.
The road signage is classified as essential infrastructure, and its removal posed a serious safety risk to motorists and other road users.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) welcomed the court’s decision and reiterated its condemnation of any form of vandalism targeting road infrastructure.
KeNHA urged the public to protect road furniture and report any acts of vandalism to the nearest KeNHA office or police station.
Members of the public can also call the toll-free number 0800 211244 to report such incidents.
Section 24 of the Scrap Metal Act, 2015, states that it is an offence to “remove, deface or destroy any scrap metal from infrastructure designed for roads, bridges, railways, pipelines, telecommunication, electricity, water and sewerage, or any government infrastructure project.”
The penalty on conviction is a fine of up to Sh 10 million, or imprisonment for up to 3 years, or both.
Anyone handling scrap metal whose origin cannot be determined may be fined up to Sh 20 million, jailed for up to 7 years, or both.
Section 24(2) of the Act obligates dealers handling scrap from protected infrastructure to report it immediately to police or inspectors, failing to do so is an offence.
In May 2025, a Nairobi court sentenced a man in Mombasa to 3 years in jail or Sh 3 million fine for removing reinforcement bars from a road.
Although not yet enacted, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure Bill (2024) proposes raising the penalty for vandalising critical infrastructure to fines up to Sh20 million and jail terms up to 10 years, plus court orders to pay for repairs.
The bill defines critical infrastructure broadly to include transport networks, utilities, government facilities and more, and considers damage a felony-level offence.
