THE KSH. 200 MILLION EXIT ROAD IN THIKA STALLS AFTER CONFLICT

Following the objections raised by the management of the Thika GoK Prison, the construction of the Sh200 million dual carriageway exit in Thika Town that was recently launched by Kiambu County Government has stalled. The prison authorities argue that the proposed one kilometre stretch of road that was to pass near the prison's compound was a threat to the safety of the inmates. The road had been initiated to ease the heavy traffic jam that has become a nightmare for motorists and residents in the town.

On Saturday, there erupted a stand-off between the prison and county government officials when both teams clashed at the disputed piece of land. The chief roads officer Lucas Wahinya who was accompanied by the county askaris, were roughed up by the prison warders who were led by the officer in-charge of the prison.

. Kiambu County head of Public Administration Dominic Gicheru has faulted Thika Prison warders for dispersing county government askaris.

“What happened was a result of divergent thinking and though the warders were bound to react, we did not expect them to throw teargas at the officers and even fire shots in the air,” Gicheru said.

“It could have been worse if the county askaris were also armed.” According to Gicheru, the county government had briefed Thika Prisons Commissioner on its intention to build the road on the prison’s land and he reportedly agreed. He further explained that the confrontation between prison officers and county officers was occasioned by the lack of communication to the warders about the project.

“The prison’s commissioner is aware of this and the officers were not informed I would think so but that is how things are,”

"Even if we will have to use force, this road has to be made. The piece of land the prison is claiming to be theirs is not since it is a road reserve," said Mr Wahinya.

However, Thika Prison head Samson Kunzu maintained the county was encroaching on the prison land without the authority from the Interior ministry which was the custodian of prison land countrywide.

follows objections raised by the management of the Thika GoK Prison.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000170560/thika-town-exit-road-stalls-as-county-prison-authorities-clas