Kenya Railways Warns of Life Imprisonment for Vandalism Suspects

The Kenya Railways Corporation has cautioned Kenyans against vandalising the railway infrastructure, stating that such acts risk the lives of passengers.

The warning follows the arrest of a man who was found in possession of railway materials after an alleged case of vandalism in the Maungu area of Taita-Taveta County on Saturday, December 21.

Images shared by the company showed several metal bars believed to belong to Kenya Railways which were allegedly obtained by damaging the train’s pathway. 

According to Kenya Railways, following his arrest, the man risks life imprisonment for allegedly putting the lives of several passengers who use train services at risk.

The law provides that any person who, with intent to injure or to endanger the safety of any person travelling by any railway is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life.

“We wish to notify the public that vandalism of railway property is a crime punishable by law. The safety of our passengers is of paramount importance to us,” read part of the statement by Kenya Railways.

While addressing Kenyans, the Corporation urged members of the public to report any case of railway vandalism to law enforcement authorities or contact them directly.

In March this year, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced that acts of vandalism of railway infrastructure would be treated as acts of terror.

Addressing members of the press in Makueni County, Kindiki noted that any person found near a protected facility including railway line, or critical water reservoirs would be dealt with per the Protected Areas Act.

“Those citizens who are storming the railways and destroying railway infrastructure, I want you to know that act is terrorism. Those who are engaged in that activity are enemies of Kenya, just like terrorists,” Kindiki said.

“Any person found within the vicinity of a protected facility including railway, or critical water reservoirs will be dealt with under the Protected Areas Act. It is the most serious and punitive law; it is the law that guards the State House,” he added.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time Kenya Railways has issued a warning against vandalism. A similar warning was initially issued to Kenyans following the completion of the Nairobi-Mombasa railway, where part of the railway infrastructure was stolen and sold off.