- On Wednesday, Deputy President William Ruto told the boda boda operators to collect their motorcycles from police stations.
- Head of traffic in Nairobi Joshua Omukata said the crackdown did not include unconditional release of the motorbikes.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU
A stand off looms between boda boda riders and police over the detention of more than 2,000 motorcycles.
The motorcycles were detained during a three-day crackdown in the country.
On Wednesday, Deputy President William Ruto told the boda boda operators to collect their motorcycles from police stations.
The DP spoke at Ngara market in Nairobi where he criticised the government over the confiscation, saying it was retrogressive for the riders.
He said the riders were ordinary Kenyans, who were out to earn honest incomes to support their livelihoods.
Ruto also said the riders should be refunded their money, which was paid as fines because they are genuine business people.
He said the Wangari Maathai Road incident should not be used to victimise the whole sector.
The DP said the riders were being tortured based on social class.
However, a senior police officer who asked not to be named said Ruto's remarks were inciting.
He said riders should not to make such an attempt without following the laid down procedures.
Police said the motorcycles are still in their custody.
This is despite the fact that the crackdown was suspended.
Police also say the riders are now required to produce a raft of ownership documents before they get back their motorcycles.
Police believe some motorcycles had been stolen elsewhere and later shipped to different places for business.
Some may also have committed crimes in different areas and police have shared the data on the motorcycles for analysis.
Most police station yards are full of motorcycles, which are increasingly gathering dust.
Police say operators of impounded motorcycles are required to produce driving licences, insurance cover, log books and reflector jackets.
Head of traffic in Nairobi Joshua Omukata said the crackdown did not include unconditional release of the motorbikes.
“They must fulfill these conditions before they collect their motorbikes. Those without the requisite documents will have to look for them before they can be allowed to pick their motorcycles,” he said.
Omukata said the operators must also show prove of membership to either a Sacco or an association.
The government launched a crackdown on the riders days after a video emerged showing a female driver being sexually molested along Wangari Maathai Road after an accident.
At least 17 suspects who are believed to have participated in the assault have been arrested and arraigned.
Others have been charged with sexual assault and robbery with violence.
President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the countrywide crackdown on rogue boda boda riders, to streamline the sector.
However, the directive was suspended to allow a multi-sectoral team to conduct registration and training of the riders.
The main rapid drive starts on March 21. The two-month exercise will be conducted at all Huduma centres.
Police said this will pave way for an imminent overhaul of the entire sector.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)