Makueni County Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has said that people who vandalise vital government projects should be charged with economic crime as they cause untold suffering to the citizens.
In this regard, Mutula asked the national government, through parliament to come up with a law that will end this vice that has impacted negatively on wananchi after projects get vandalised.
Mutula’s statement follows a public outcry over vandalism of pipes and solar panels for several water projects by criminals who allegedly sell them away as scrap metal.
“We want a resolution from the cabinet, that when railway or water projects are vandalised, the people involved be charged with economic crime,” said Mutula while addressing the media in Wote.
“This issue is troubling because the lives of wananchi are disrupted whenever the infrastructure is vandalised,” noted the Governor.
At the same time, the County Boss recommended that requisite fees for licenses for scrap metal dealers be raised in an effort to reduce their numbers, which would by extension reduce the demand for scrap metal. According to him this would end this vice that is rampant in Makueni county as there won’t be many places to sell the vandalised metal.
“Licenses being given to those involved in selling scrap metal should be increased significantly to ensure only a few people can do this business. This will deter those vandalising vital projects,” he added.
By Zipporah Mutheu
