Drama was witnessed outside Nation Media Group offices on Thursday after police officers opened fire while engaging boda boda operators in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD).
The police officers fired in the air several times and eventually arrested a number of boda boda riders after which they towed their motorcycles into a waiting lorry.
In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, a man wearing civilian clothing is seen trying to forcefully dismount a boda boda rider from his motorcycle as people scream in the background.
“The police are using extra force, the use of live bullets on us is not fair. They could have asked us to leave in peace,” one of the boda boda riders stated.
Some of those who witnessed the incident were not pleased with the way the police officers were handling the boda boda operators.
“Instead of police officers using unnecessary force, they should have a way of dealing with the riders, most of them earn a living within the city center,” commented one witness.
According to Nairobi County Government bylaws, boda boda riders are prohibited from operating within the central business district.
Earlier in June, Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko ordered the release of more than 800 motorcycles that had been impounded.
Sonko stated that operators of the impounded boda-bodas should not be fined. However, he cautioned them to keep off the city center.
