Police officers who assaulted 25-year-old rider Alfred Ndeto in Mwagwesheni on Tuesday should be arrested and interdicted, boda boda operators in Kwale county have said.
A viral video shows three officers wrestling Ndeto to the ground after he allegedly refused to pay a Sh50 bribe at a roadblock.
He sustained chest and leg injuries, prompting outrage from his colleagues, who termed the attack an abuse of power.
Kwale Boda Boda Association of Kenya (BAK) chairperson, Mahmud Mwanyumba, condemned the incident outside Shimba Hills Police Station, calling it “a violation of Ndeto’s rights and an embarrassment to the police service.”
“Beating a young man over Sh50 is unacceptable. If he broke the law, due process should have been followed,” Mwanyumba said.
He emphasised that bribery is illegal and warned that such conduct undermines public trust.
The chair urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to act swiftly and vowed to pursue justice and compensation for Ndeto, threatening legal action if authorities delay.
Rama Hamadi, the association’s spokesperson, highlighted the sector’s economic role, stressing that lack of licences does not justify violence.
“The boda boda sector must be respected and enabled to thrive, not used as a tool to intimidate its workers,” he said, noting operators’ collaboration with security agencies.
Kwale Boda Boda coordinator Juma Gatiwi called for transparent procedures to handle traffic offences and confirmed plans to submit a memorandum to the police commissioner.
The incident reignited calls for accountability and systemic reforms to protect boda boda operators from harassment while ensuring adherence to traffic laws.
Authorities face pressure to address corruption allegations and restore confidence in law enforcement.
Shimba Hills deputy commissioner Patrick Kimolo condemned the officers’ actions, assuring justice after both parties recorded statements.
OCPD Safari Katana pledged impartial investigations, stating evidence would be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“I assure you the law will take its course and no boda boda rider will be harassed in the future. We want to work together,” Katana said, promising improved police-rider relations.
