This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
On August 6, 2020, a court in Kenya ruled in favor of lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi, ordering the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to pay Ksh750,311 in damages for damaging his Bentley Bentayga in 2018.
Abdullahi had sued KeNHA over the damage sustained on his vehicle, which occurred during the re-carpeting of the Nairobi-Namanga Highway in 2018. He alleged that KeNHA was negligent in failing to seal off the road and put up sign boards informing road users of the works ahead.
Abdullahi argued that KeNHA owed him and other road users a duty of care, and that the agency's failure to prevent possible road accidents was a breach of that duty. He also claimed that KeNHA's shoddy job was a contributing factor to the damage to his windscreen.
KeNHA was ordered to pay Abdullahi Ksh750,311 as special damages for repairs and labour costs resulting from the incident.
Abdullahi's case has sparked a debate on social media, with some Kenyans expressing hope that it would set a precedent for government agencies to pay for accidents caused by poor roads, potholes, and poor signage.
Abdullahi's Bentley Bentayga, which costs an estimated Ksh47 million, was damaged during the re-carpeting of the Nairobi-Namanga Highway in 2018.
