Why Boda Boda Related Crimes Peak Over 4 Months - Report

A photo of boda boda operators protesting.
A photo of boda boda operators protesting.
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Crimes linked to boda boda riders are more pronounced and rampant on specific days of the month and peak in certain months according to a just-released report by the National Crime Research Centre.

The report titled 'Boda Boda Motorcycle Transport and Security Challenges in Kenya' revealed that certain months observed more criminal activities from the operators, specifically; December, April, August and January were singled out as the most prevalent in the study in 2018.

December recorded the highest number of criminal activity linked to boda boda riders while public holidays were also days that police recorded increased criminal activity.  

Boda boda riders blocking Outer Ring Raod on January 14, 2021.
Boda boda riders blocking Outer Ring Road after an accident on January 14, 2021.
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Some of the reasons advanced for the likely spike of boda boda crimes in December include: perceptions 

about a lot of money to be spent during the festivities being in circulation the drive to make money for the 

Christmas festive season and large movements of people in towns and villages using boda boda motorcycle 

means of transport. 

The months of August and April also stood out due to the school holidays, registering higher than average boda boda related crimes. Most boda boda related crimes take place at the end of the month.

The study found crimes are likely to be committed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The fourth week of the month and mid-month were also highlighted as high crime periods.

The most prevalent boda boda related crimes committed by riders were found to be causing death by dangerous riding, creating a disturbance, general stealing, theft of motorcycles and motorcycle parts, assault, robbery and robbery with violence, riding under the influence of alcohol.

Possession and usage of dangerous drugs, handling and trafficking of dangerous drugs, murder, kidnapping and abduction, bribery, defilement, rape, smuggling of goods; theft of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts; were oother crimes perpertuated by the riders.

The report found that the root cause of boda boda motorcycle-related crimes was pervasive unemployment and idleness, poverty, drug and substance abuse, lack of/weak regulation of the boda boda sub-sector, greed and desire for quick money and weak law enforcement by the police and other law enforcement agencies.

Others are peer pressure factors; high levels of illiteracy; criminal mindset and tendencies; insecurity across the country due to absence of adequate security personnel; poor transport infrastructure; high cost of living; corruption among law enforcers; ease of access to firearms through porous Kenyan borders.

The main perpetrators of boda boda motorcycle-related crimes were boda boda riders hired as casuals or on a commission basis, riders who hire motorcycles from owners, pillion passengers, boda boda motorcycle owners, some traffic police officers, county government inspectorate and enforcement officers; National Transport and Safety Authority officers and matatu drivers.

Police officers at an accident scene involving a car and a motorbike at the Kanisa road roundabout in Nyeri on July 11, 2011.
Police officers at an accident scene involving a car and a motorbike at the Kanisa Road roundabout in Nyeri on July 11, 2011.
Daily Nation

 

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