Chaos has erupted in Embu town after the boda boda riders clashed with the police after their leader was allegedly arrested.
The riders began their protest after one of their leaders, Kirimari SACCO Treasurer, was arrested last night, July 28, by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
The exact reasons and charges for the arrest of the leader are unclear, with the government remaining silent on the matter.
Early Tuesday morning, July 29, the angry riders blocked the road with bonfires and stones in Embu town, taking over a large section near the court roundabout.
The irate boda boda riders blocked the Embu–Kiritiri road, causing traffic disruption in the area.
Reports indicated that the roadblock prevented vehicles from passing, causing long jams and delays on that route.
In images obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, some riders are seen waving placards demanding justice and calling for the immediate release of their colleagues.
Shops and businesses in the town were forced to close after the demonstrations started. So far, there have been no reports of violence or injuries or arrests.
Motorists were urged to avoid the blocked roads and take an alternative route, as vehicles could not pass through the roads.
This is not the first time boda boda riders have protested in Embu. In a previous incident, they blocked the Embu–Meru highway for similar reasons on July 8.
The past protests by boda boda riders have flared into chaos in other areas. For instance, in Mombasa Road at Mlolongo, riders blocked the highway after an arrest, lighting fires before the police stepped in.
