An expectant woman and a boda boda rider were admitted at JM Kariuki Memorial Hospital on December 10, 2019, after an accident where the motorcycle they were riding on got trapped using a rope, allegedly by a police officer based in the area for failure to give a bribe.
Speaking to Daily Nation, residents explained how the woman, who was heading to the hospital after the onset of her labour pains, got involved in the nasty accident.
The police officer allegedly accused the rider of failure to promptly pay a fee that is charged to all riders.
The residents further stated that this was not an isolated case as notorious officers have been known to use crude methods to get back at the boda boda operators.
“The bribe-demanding police officers have a habit of using ropes to trap boda boda riders who fail to pay the Ksh200 weekly fee. The notorious police officers manning the roadblock, a short distance from the Dundori Market, are always visibly drunk,” remarked Juma Waweru, a rider.
The locals painted a picture of a grisly incident that left the victims at the mercies of passersby.
“[The woman] was bleeding heavily and had a deep cut on the head. We saw pieces of human flesh from her head. The rider was also bleeding and had severe cuts,” Nancy Theuri told Daily Nation.
Boda boda operators took to the streets in protest of police brutality, expressing their displeasure in how the police officers had been conducting such acts without being punished.
“We were bitter because the police officers were still demanding money from the rider instead of saving his life and that of his passenger.
“They use strings, ropes, and pieces of wood to trap riders who fail to pay the weekly bribes,” explained Joshua Muriithi.
Mirangine Sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Omar Ali confirmed the incident but termed it as an isolated case, adding that investigations were launched to unravel the truth.
