Police Boss Takes Action After Uproar on Boda Boda Riders

Boda boda riders at the junction of Kirinyaga and Racecourse Road in Nairobi on June 27, 2017.
Boda boda riders at the junction of Kirinyaga and Racecourse Road in Nairobi on June 27, 2017.
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The National Police Service is mapping out notorious hotspots where unruly boda boda riders are likely to assault and burn vehicles.

In a statement signed by Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai on Thursday, January 28, the service vowed to crack down on boda boda riders taking the law in their hands.  

Mutyambai lamented that the National police had received numerous complaints where boda boda riders had assaulted civilians and in some cases, burnt their vehicles.

Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai speaking at the special sitting held by the National Assembly's Committee on Education on February 26.
Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai speaking at the special sitting held by the National Assembly's Committee on Education on February 26.
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"It is against this backdrop that I caution all bodaboda riders and operators against uncouth and uncivilised manner of addressing issues," reads an excerpt of the statement.

The IG stated that the riders should adhere to all set traffic regulations, all laws of public order and decency, failure to which, they would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The police service asked Kenyans to report to the nearest police station should they be involved in an accident or any incident in the future.

"All police officers have been directed to be on the lookout to take the necessary lawful action against any boda boda rider found to be taking the law into their own hands."

Mutyambai acknowledged that the boda boda sector played a big role in the Kenyan economy as a source of employment and livelihood for many people.

"The operators and riders must therefore closely partner with the police to make this important safe, secure and orderly.

An image of boda boda riders
Boda Boda operators wait for customers at a stage.
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