Editorials

EDITORIAL: Destruction of public infrastructure wrong

protest

Protestors move rocks from the street as they take part in a demonstration in Kisumu on October 16, 2017. AFP PHOTO | YASUYOSHI CHIBA

Even before the current political stand-off over the repeat presidential election started, some protesters had gotten into the habit of blocking roads and burning tyres and garbage to drive their point home.

This was done in the name of free expression, never mind the fact that those negatively affected by their actions have equal rights.

When a small group blocks a road or lights a fire, the immediate effect is to disrupt economic activity and probably pose a danger to road users. But a more serious consequence is the melting of tarmac, which is sensitive to heat, being a bi-product of oil.

In the past weeks, we have seen this criminal behaviour—disguised as the constitutionally enshrined right to picket or demonstrate—escalate.

Roads including the most costly of them - Thika Road - and the highway from Kisumu to Uganda have been sabotaged as the police looked on or did little to intervene.

This should be a matter of grave concern to every Kenyan, regardless of their political or social persuasion they hold.

Yesterday, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) was reported in the media as warning that protesters would face the law for their actions.

According to the agency, violators of the law will be liable to a two-year jail term or a fine of Sh100,000.

READ: Roads agency to sue protesters for damaged roads - VIDEO

That warning is long overdue. However, we believe they downplay the offence when they restrict the punishment to just destroying the road.

By interfering with the road network you are sabotaging the local and regional economy. That means the crime is much worse than KeNHA admits.

However, even as we encourage the authorities to crack the whip, we advise them to distinguish between criminal activity and legitimate protests.

As the courts have ruled, the police should allow and protect protests that do not disrupt the economy.

Going forward, we expect the police to protect both public and private assets from hooligans. Making an example of a few people will work wonders. Taxpayers’ investment must be protected at all cost.