Athi River deputy county commissioner Geoffrey Omoding addresses the press at his office in Athi River on Tuesday. [Photo|MOwiti]The government is serious on Standard Gauge Railways project and we will deal ruthlessly with anybody who attempts to vandalize it, says Athi River deputy county commissioner Geoffrey Omoding.

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Omoding said those vandalizing the railway line were endangering lives of those who use the Madaraka Express train on daily basis as means of transport between Nairobi and Mombasa towns.

Speaking from his office on Monday, Omoding 

said the culprits were signing their death sentences.

One person was shot dead by police and another arrested after they were found vandalizing the rail in Athi River, Machakos County on Sunday.

“They are endangering lives of those using the Railway, their lives will be at risk. We have deployed more police officers for intensified surveillance along the SGR line to ensure there is no vandalism at all,” said Omoding.

“We will trace the scrap metal dealers who buy metals stolen by the culprits from the SGR line, we will not spare them since they are the ones encouraging the illicit trade and SGR vandalization,” added the official.

Omoding said there was a cartel that operates along the SGR between Nairobi and Athi River stealing its metals.

He said the culprits must be well informed on the SGR’s operations since they had attempted to vandalize its watch tower at Syokimau a few weeks ago.

“They had attempted to vandalize the watch tower at Syokimau, they must be well informed on operations of the Railway line,” said Omoding.

Omoding said all residents living along the line between Nairobi and Mombasa should be alert and report any suspects of the rail’s vandalization.

“The message should transcend the country so that the SGR project is protected whenever it passes through,” said Omoding.

He said they had been alert since the criminals attempted in vain to vandalize the watchtower.

“Since the time they attempted to vandalize the watch tower, we knew something was on the offing, we have been liaising with SGR police, Athi River police and local residents to monitor the SGR line 24/07. We did not know their intention,” said Omoding.

Omoding said the SGR line should be completely re-enforced to make stealing its metal difficult for the criminals.

He commended the police for effecting the arrests.

Omoding called on the locals to report to police any suspicious characters trading along the SGR line.