Police in Athi River have released more than 2,000 motorbikes that were impounded after boda boda operators were arrested for violating Covid-19 guidelines.
The motorbikes were impounded for being used to transport passengers across the roadblock that had been erected along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway at Small World area in Athi River, Machakos county.
The roadblock was removed following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to partially open up the economy.
Riders were intercepted while using panya routes to transport their clients from and into the Nairobi Metropolitan Area against the cessation of movement directive.
The Star established that some motorbikes had been released earlier after their owners visited the station.
The remaining motorbikes were released following Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti’s intervention.
Athi River deputy county commissioner David Juma said the riders promised to comply with all relevant traffic rules and regulations including those set by the government on combating Covid-19.
“Ndeti requested that the motorbikes be released to their owners after they learned their lessons the hard way for the four months they were impounded for contravening the guidelines," Juma said.
"They included the motorbikes impounded after the operators were arrested while using 'panya' routes to transport their passengers outside and inside the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, those arrested while operating past the curfew hours and those found operating without wearing masks,” Juma told the Star at his office on Wednesday.
