Nairobi News

NewsWhat's Hot

Execution of SGR vandals unconstitutional, lawyer tells Uhuru


A human rights lawyer has laughed off President Uhuru Kenyatta’s declaration that he would approve the execution of people who vandalize the Standard Gauge Railway.

Lawyer Harun Ndubi told Nairobi News said enforcing the president’s declaration would be impossible and unconstitutional.

“Instead the government should invest heavily in a security system, say an electronic system, that would detect any vandalism by human beings or animals now that the rail runs through the park,” said Lawyer Ndubi.

EMPHASIS

He added that Mr Kenyatta may have been just emphasizing the importance of the SGR.

“If there was any offense that should attract a similar punishment. it should be corruption,” said the lawyer.

He argued that the narrative that vandalizing the railway risks the lives of railway commuters, should also be used in judging “corrupt individuals who risk the lives of Kenyans by pocketing funds that would otherwise have been used in hospitals.”

President Uhuru had on Wednesday said he would approve the execution of people convicted of vandalizing the railway and sabotaging the economy.

STIFF PENALTIES

This even as the Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko warned that vandalizing the SGR would attract stiff penalties of 10 years imprisonment and Sh1 million fine.

Tobiko said four suspects already in custody for allegedly stealing railway infrastructure will be charged under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act setting them up for the tougher penalties.