Tough rules for Kitengela riders amidst crackdown

All boda boda riders operating within Kitengela town and its environs must register with their relevant associations and their names submitted to the security committee.

The directive came following a crisis meeting held between the riders and security officers amid a major ongoing crackdown of riders suspected to have been involved in an attack on a female motorist last week.

During the incident, the female motorist who was with a male passenger sped off after hitting a pedestrian before later being involved in multiple motorcycle accidents that left several people nursing injuries.

The duo escaped death by a whisker after agitated riders gave chase and caught up with them before viciously attacking them.

They were only rescued by traffic police officers who rushed them to hospital as they had sustained serious injuries.

Following the incident that was captured on video that has since gone viral, police officers have been conducting a major crackdown on the riders with a view to nabbing the culprits.

Unruly behaviour

In a heated meeting held yesterday led by Kitengela assistant county commissioner Chrispus Mazoya, Kitengela OCS David Ole Shani and Kitengela traffic commander Sarah Warukha among others, the riders were castigated over the unruly behaviour.

“Every Kenyan has a right. While enjoying your right of being safe on the road, be informed as a rider that your rights should not interfere with the right of the other person. The rule of law is defined and if someone is on the wrong you are supposed to let the concerned authorities deal with him,” Mazoya told the riders.

The officers sent a stern warning to those taking law into their hands saying they will face the full force of the law.

“ No boda boda operator should dare operate in this town if he or she is not registered with the relevant authorities. We will not tolerate unruly behaviour of mob justice when an accident happens,” Shani warned the riders.

On the other hand, the riders also appealed to security agencies to take into account their safety by ensuring cases of motorbike theft are fully investigated and the criminals arrested.

Unclear circumstances

“The issue of motorcycle theft should also be addressed with the same energy we are seeing when it comes to the incident of a motorist being attacked. We arrest and present theft suspects but they are later released in unclear circumstances. Let security agencies also deal with crime passionately for our safety as well,” said a rider.

They also urged police to desist from conducting arbitrary arrests of boda boda operators while promising to name those involved in unruly behaviour.

“We apologise for the ugly incident. As boda boda riders we regret the harm caused and we promise to work hand in hand with security officers to name those who were involved. On the same breath, we would wish that a few rogue officers who are arresting riders indiscriminately to stop,” Geoffrey Karanja, the bodaboda Riders Association chairman said.

The populous Kitengela town has over 7,000 riders operating in 140 earmarked stages.