THIKA PRISONS,COUNTY CLASH OVER ROAD CONSTRUCTION

There was a stand-off between Thika Prison management and the County Government of Kiambu over the construction of a Ksh 200 million dual carriage road.
The construction of the road was launched by Governor William Kabogo who said that the road is expected to ease the heavy traffic in Thika town. He said that the three kilometre Gatitu-Kenyatta dual carriage is set to be completed in the next one year.

Thika Prison management refused for the road to pass through its land citing that the road is a threat to the safety of the inmates.
The county officials, led by roads Chief Officer Lucas Wahinya accompanied by county askaris, were attacked by the prison warders spearheaded by the officer in-charge of Thika prison.
The prison warders shot in the air and hulled teargas canisters to repulse the county officials who had escorted a bulldozer that was supposed to start the road construction.
The county officials were forced to scamper for safety and run for their lives as the prison warders pursued them resulting in eight county askaris sustaining serious injuries.
The officer in-charge of the prison, senior superintendent Samson Kunzu, said the county was encroaching on the prison’s land without its (prison) authority.
He mentioned that the prison management was not opposed to the construction of the road adding the due process must be followed in getting the piece of land required in setting up the road.
Dominic Gicheru, the County Secretary, faulted the prison authorities for what he termed as blocking a project meant for public good.
He stated that survey maps in possession of the county government indicate that the land at the centre of the dispute is a road reserve adding that they will hold consultations to unlock the impasse and ensure that construction resumes next week.

courtesy: citizen news