We are not criminals, say Mavoko boda boda riders

Mavoko boda boda operators want police to investigate individuals who use motorbikes while terrorising innocent Kenyans in Athi River, Machakos county.

They raised concerns on what they termed increased victimisation of their members by area security agencies alongside some residents.

“Police should conduct thorough investigations on boda boda operators to differentiate genuine operators from youth used as goons to terrorise residents and investors,” Mlolongo – Syokimau – Sabaki Boda Boda operators chairman Alex Mutuku said.

Mutuku said though both boda boda operators and goons use motorbikes in their operations, most of boda boda operators were law abiding Kenyans who earn their livelihoods from transporting their pillion passengers and goods.

The operators addressed the press in Mlolongo town on Monday.

“As boda boda leaders, we know the difference hence the request for a thorough investigations to be conducted by security agencies to weed out the criminals,” Mutuku said.

He said the investigations will reveal those tainting the boda boda operators’ image.

Mutuku said they don’t want war or any conflicts with the government and are always willing to cooperate with relevant authorities.

“Our job entails transporting clients and luggages to their destinations as we return to our designated stages. We don’t engage in illegal businesses as claimed that we are used by land cartels,” he said.

He, however, admitted that there were some youth turned goons who were being used especially in Ngelani area within Mlolongo division, to terrorise residents.

“The goons use motorbikes from Embakasi, Kayole, Ruai among other areas and join other gangs from Mlolongo before getting to their targeted locations to commit crime. They terrorise people especially those who claim ownership of some land within Mavoko,” Mutuku said.

The chairman said police should work with boda boda operators' leaderships in cracking down on the criminals, adding  that they have records of all their members.

“We have records in boda boda sacco office. Let them come so that we show them our members,” he said.

He said the goons are often seen fuelling their motorbikes in Mlolongo filling stations enroute their targeted areas.

He said the gang were remnants of those who were used by politicians during 2022 campaigns and general election.

Mutuku claimed they were being targeted by police with claims that they were hiding criminals in their midst.

“It isn’t true, our members are purely boda boda operators stationed in various areas. They have chairmen and management in those stages,” he said.

“Several of our members were arrested last week and we complied. We don’t want such a thing to recur,” Mutuku said.

Athi River East subcounty police commander Anderson Mbae, said police mandate was basically to maintain law and order and for boda boda operators, they need to comply with rules and regulations governing their operations.

“So, I need to sensitise the boda boda sector, they need to operate within the law. We will have a meeting with them to discuss how we are going to work together for a seamless operations in the sector,” Mbae said.

“So that they can also assist us in making our areas safer by giving us information on criminals,” he added.

The police boss cautioned the operators against accepting to be misused by individuals or groupings to engage in criminal activities.

He said as the area security agencies, they will support genuine boda boda operators do their work better.

“We don’t want any problem with them, let them cooperate. On the other hand, all operators need to comply with traffic rules and regulations. They need to operate using road worthy motorbikes, wear helmets together with their pillion passengers, have driving licenses, insurance covers and carry a passenger at a time.

They should have everything else required for them to operate. Operate within their groupings under designated chairmen of their respective stages for it to be easy to identify their members and criminals,” Mbae said.

He cautioned the operators from modifying their motorbikes.

“The operators need not do any kind of modifications on their motorbikes, it’s illegal. That’s what criminals do and use such motorbikes to operate. They conceal their number plates and modify exhaust pipes so that they can make some funny sounds as they move,” he said.

He warned the gangs that their days were numbered. “We will continue cracking down on them for necessary action,” Mbae said.