Police disperse demonstrating boda boda riders in Kirinyaga

Traffic was paralysed for a better part of Thursday evening along the road leading to the Kerugoya Police Station, and Kirinyaga county headquarters.

This is after a bitter confrontation erupted between police officers and over 50 boda boda riders who were demonstrating to the police station to demand for the release of 69 motorcycles that were netted yesterday in the ongoing countrywide bodaboda crackdown.

The officers were forced to throw tear gas canisters to dismiss the riders after the operators defied the orders to clear the road.

The riders immediately gave in and ran away leaving their motorcycle behind thus compelling the police officers to tow them to the police station.

The operators were demanding to have a sitting with the county security team which is led by Kirinyaga county commissioner Jim Njoka.

Their leaders claimed the operators whose motorbikes were nabbed were genuine and had all the necessary documents.

They further claimed to face harassment from officers carrying out the crackdown who they say are taking advantage of the ongoing operation.

"Many of the operators here are subjected to tough economic times. We want our colleague's bikes which were nabbed to be released as they have complied with traffic guidelines," One of their leaders said.

However, Kirinyaga police county commander Mathew Mang'ira said the crackdown would intensify as it was so ordered by the president and nothing would be left to chance.

Mang'ira said they have so far netted over 110 boda bodas and arraigned their owners in court.

"We shall not relent in enforcing what the government ordered. All riders must register in SACCO as well as get the necessary documentation. We are not ready to negotiate on that!"

He said those whose motorcycles were towed to the police station will have to produce valid documentation in order to get them back.

His sentiments come a day after the government pledged to conduct the ongoing countrywide boda boda crackdown in the most humane and in strict compliance with the law.

Interior PS Karanja Kibicho said the motive of the exercise by the national police is to streamline the sector that has employed 2.4 million riders.

Speaking on Tuesday, Kibicho said it was unfortunate that the thriving sector had attracted some criminal elements that had resorted to harassing the public and taking law into their own hands.

“The main reason we are conducting the exercise is to rid criminals and rogue boda boda riders who have infiltrated the sector and begin violating the laws. This will ensure that we have law-abiding riders on our roads and those willing to obey all government and traffic-related guidelines.”