• Raila told police to stop harassing all operators and instead identify and bring to book the main culprits.
• His remarks come a few days after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a national crackdown in the sector.
Image: RAILA ODINGA FACEBOOK
ODM leader Raila Odinga now wants law enforcers to stop unnecessary harassment of boda boda operators.
His remarks come a few days after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a national crackdown in the sector.
The former Prime minister warned against the blanket condemnation of riders in the country.
The Opposition Chief while condemning the Forest Road incident where a female motorist was assaulted in broad light cautioned against victimising innocent riders for the sin of others.
Early this week, a video of the assault went viral showing a group of rogue riders attacking and molesting a female driver in Nairobi after an accident.
Raila told police to stop harassing all operators and instead identify and bring to book the main culprits.
He maintained that there are only a few bad apples in the sector that has provided opportunities to thousands of young people in the country.
According to Raila, those involved in the unfortunate incident should be made to face the law.
“There was an incident in Nairobi where a woman was attacked by Bodaboda operators, we must all condemn such. If someone makes a mistake that is a criminal and they should face the law. Let not all the riders made to pay for the crime of others,” Raila said.
He added: “Whoever did that should face the law. It should not be a blanket condemnation of the entire sector. Police should not harass all riders for a sin of others.”
On Tuesday, Uhuru ordered a national crackdown on rogue operators across the country and directed that they all be registered a fresh.
Uhuru while issuing the directive warned against politicising the matter saying it seeks to restore among road users.
“It is a disheartening thing to see and it’s only one among many others that have occurred across this country and we must be honest to each other,” the President said.
"Being boda boda operator is not a licence to strip a woman. There should never be a repeat of what happened on Friday. This is a blight on the whole Kenyan society.”
Uhuru predicted that his directive will lead to some leaders politicising the matter by faulting him for hurting small business people in the country.
The Azimio leader was speaking on Thursday during an Azimio rally in Maua, Meru County where he drummed support for his Azimio La Umoja movement ahead of the launch on Saturday.
He was accompanied by Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and National Assembly majority Whip Maoka Maore among others.