A bus was attacked along the Nairobi-Isiolo highway on Saturday evening, March 6, leaving several passengers nursing serious injuries.
Reports indicated that angry residents hurled stones at the bus as it neared Maili Saba in Isiolo, following a clash between two communities over the recent killing of a boda boda rider.
Police reports indicated that the boda boda rider was lynched by a mob after he was accused of stealing motorcycle spare parts.
The deceased was taken to an area along the Isiolo-Meru border, roughed up and set on fire.
Following the killing of the rider, chaos broke out as a mob broke into shops vandalizing businesses as the traders flee for safety.
“I almost got hit by a stone while hurriedly leaving work during the fracas. I cannot open my shop because my property can be stolen,” one of the traders said.
The motorcycle belonging to a chief in the area was set ablaze by a group of young men at Kiwanjani. Police officers fired in the air to disperse the unruly crowd.
On Friday March 5, there was a heavy police presence as the officers were deployed to ensure the area was secure.
Isiolo County Commissioner, Herman Shambi, condemned the lynching of the rider saying citizens shouldn’t take matters into their own hands rather should have taken him to a police station.
“I assure that all is well. We are committed to ensuring business goes on uninterrupted,” said Mr. Shambi.
On his part, Governor Mohammed Kuti urged the two communities to stop linking crimes to communities.
He further asked the residents to maintain peace and order as they wait for a proper legal action.
“I don’t want to hear about communities fighting. We are all Kenyans so we must find ways of living together. Boda boda riders should join saccos so that if anything happens, it's easy to know the culprits,” he said.
