This archive report was first published on 6 January 2022.
January 6, 2022, marked a dark day for residents of Nakuru County as several estates were plunged into darkness following the vandalism of street lights.
According to Lake View MCA Simon Wanyoike Wanango, the county had lost millions of shillings this financial year due to the vandalism that targeted the street lights.
Wanango termed the vandalism as a well-organised racket, with the county assembly now accusing scrap metal dealers for the rise in the cases that have affected Kayole, Kihoto, Site, Kabati, and Lakeview estates.
The Scrap Metal Act 2015 states that a person shall not deal in scrap metal unless they have a licence issued by the council and are a member of the Scrap Metal Dealers Association.
Leaders are seeking the enforcement of the Scrap Metal Act to curb vandalism and enhance regulation, with a penalty not exceeding Sh20 million or a prison term not exceeding five years or both for a second or subsequent offence in dealing with scrap metals.
“We shall be forced to go back to the county assembly and seek more funds through the supplementary budget so as to repair the damaged lights,” Wanango said.
“We are asking police to intervene and deal with these vandals who have turned estates into dark alleys after stealing all the lights,” he added.
