The Motorists Association of Kenya has raised the alarm over an emerging trend of violence involving boda boda operators, after the latest incident saw a DCI officer's vehicle torched in Thika's Makongeni area.
In a strongly worded statement, the association condemned what it described as "growing excesses" by boda boda operators.
While decrying continued harassment and violence allegedly targeting motorists, the association also lamented what it described as government silence on the matter, while accusing law enforcement of standing by as operators continuously flouted traffic rules.
"This has been the state of affairs for too long. Authorities only act when a VIP is affected, but when ordinary citizens are insulted, beaten, robbed, or have their vehicles torched, silence reigns," a statement from the MAK said.
The MAK accused boda boda riders of routinely breaking traffic laws in full view of police officers by riding against traffic, overtaking on the wrong side, jumping red lights and riding on footpaths.
Boda boda operators were also accused of often fleeing whenever they are at fault during a traffic incident, while descending on a motorist when roles are reversed.
In many cases, MAK claimed drivers are allegedly mobbed, assaulted or forced to pay on-the-spot compensation, sometimes being robbed in the process.
The statement went on: "Today in Kenya, we live under two sets of laws: one for all other road users, and another for boda boda riders, who operate as if untouchable. The situation is worse in the CBD, where they disregard traffic flow, ride on pavements, endanger pedestrians, overlap at blind spots, and obstruct junctions with impunity."
MAK's statement came in the wake of a harrowing incident in Thika on Sunday, where two boda boda operators lost their lives in a bizarre road rage incident after a DCI officer opened fire at them during a confrontation. Following the incident, other operators torched the officer's car in retaliation. The officer has since been apprehended.
Referring to the recent incident in Thika, the association acknowledged the tragedy of the lives lost but described the retaliation as part of a larger pattern of lawlessness.
Calling the situation untenable, the Motorists Association demanded immediate action from boda boda leadership, calling on boda boda associations to enforce stricter measures on their members while educating them on safe and lawful road practices.
Before the Thika incident, boda boda operators also came on the spot a week earlier for torching a Super Metro bus, which allegedly knocked down and killed one of their own.
