The ban on scrap metal was imposed in January 2022 due to a rise in the frequency of vandalism of critical road and rail infrastructure and transmission lines.
It was feared that the move would guarantee the protection of critical public infrastructure, particularly road signs and guard rails.
scrap metal Dealers, however, claimed that the ban was abrupt and hardly considered public participation.
In an attempt to address the problem, it was considered compulsory for scrap dealers to obtain licences prior to proceeding with business operations.
The Roads Act 2007 lays down several components related to vandalism of road furniture. Part II, section 4.2, contends that all road authorities have been accorded the right to controlling road reserves and access to road side developments.
The mwananchi have been adversely affected by vanitalism of road furniture. The safety aspect of vandalized road signs and traffic lights can lead to confusion as a result of possible misinterpretation of signs and the limited protection for road users.
Besides requiring a substantial burden on emergency services and healthcare systems, this entails a significant loss of lives. A vandal was arrested on September 7, 2023 on Wiyumiririe-Nyahuru Road.
The vandal was alleged to have ripped through a metal culvert, having already secured about a complete ring. Even as the case continues, the Kenya National Highways Authority has been forced to replace it.
The other incident happened in July this year, the political protests in Nairobi that resulted in the vandalism of the Nairobi Expressway.
The most affected areas were Mlolongo, the SGR and Syokimau toll stations. The protests throughout the nation were mostly characterised by illegal barricading along highways, necessitating the suspension of services.
For example, damaged guardrails, for example, increase the likelihood of accidents on the roads. Traffic congestion is also a significant factor in vandalism of road furniture, resulting in delays.
Traffic congestion may result in time wastage, fuel consumption increase, and economic implications, leading to time wastage and a faster delivery of goods and services.
The crusade against vandalism, therefore, is not just a fight between the government institutions affected but ought to be a fight by citizens for their own safety and that of their families.