The Meru Town Municipal Board has raised alarm over the rising cases of theft and vandalism targeting street signages, a problem that has left visitors struggling to navigate the town.
Speaking at Njuri Ncheke Street in Meru Town during the launch of a new installation exercise, Municipal Board Chairperson Kirimi Mungania said the disappearance of metallic signage has become a persistent challenge, with thieves targeting the signage for resale.
He noted that the board has resolved to restore all street signs across major roads by the end of the day, noting that Moi Street, Ghana Street, Njuri Ncheke Street, Tom Mboya Street and Kirukuri Street were among the first to get new signage.
“Thieves have now made us tired because they are stealing metallic signage which should mark all these streets in Meru town. However, by this evening all the streets in Meru town will have new signages,” said Mungania.
The board noted that the vandalism has not only inconvenienced visitors but also undermined the town’s development plans.
Mungania emphasized that the work being done by the municipal board directly benefits residents and that safeguarding public resources is a shared duty.
He noted that Meru’s growing profile demands orderly, well-marked streets and infrastructure that citizens collectively protect.
He said that residents, must take pride in the town’s transformation and help prevent the destruction of public property meant for their own convenience.
The board also announced plans to digitally map all streets within Meru Town.
Mungania said the goal is to ensure every road appears accurately on Google Maps, enabling users to find locations and tag positions easily.
He said that once the mapping is completed, anyone standing at any point such as Njuri Ncheke Street will be able to pin their exact location and get clear directions through digital platforms.
“The entire town is being added to digital platforms so that anyone searching online can see Meru Town and its streets on Google Maps.
If you stand on Njuri Ncheke Street, you will be able to pin your exact location with ease,” said Mungania.
However, Mungania issued a stern warning to individuals involved in vandalism, saying the county will intensify efforts to identify and arrest those destroying and selling public infrastructure.
He said the destruction is not limited to signage, pointing out that street lighting and electric poles have also been targeted by vandals who allegedly sell the materials to scrap dealers.
He urged law enforcement officers to strengthen their intelligence network so as to uncover the entire chain of those involved in the illegal business.
“There are people who are vandalizing street lighting and selling them to scrap dealers. We must know who is cutting, buying and selling these vandalized resources so that all those people can be arrested,” he said.
Mungania revealed that the board has held discussions with the County Commissioner and the Police Commander, in efforts to nab those involved in the vandalism.
He appealed to residents to take an active role in protecting the signage and other public structures, saying such resources belong to the people of Meru.
