Nairobi motorists have been warned to be on the lookout over a new trend used by boda boda riders to rob unsuspecting residents.
In a chilling narration of a near experience, a Nairobi motorist recalled how he and his family escaped from the unforgiving hands of rogue boda bodas.
According to the post, the incident occurred at Santon, Kasarani in February 2021, where a slight altercation with a boda boda rider turned into a high-blown chase.
"He ganged up with another guy and followed us on a motorbike. By the time we got to Santon stage the guys had caught up with us and they started shouting that we have hit someone and we trying to run away," the man explained.
It was at this point that the boda boda riders demanded they turn back and head to an AP police post at Santon.
"The guy became violent, threatening us and trying to open the doors luckily I had locked them. I refused to go back as I am not familiar with the place and opted to drive to Mwiki Police station," he stated.
The riders tried blocking the car as the driver with his family manoeuvred to the police station.
"Luckily we managed to get to Mwiki police station safely however, the guys disappeared as we entered the station. We waited for about one hour for them to come to affirm their claims but no one turned up," he added.
He explained that at the station, the officers explained that this was a new tactic used in collaboration with some police to rob people of their properties.
The incident is just one of many, as the most recently released report by the National Crime Research Centre showed that the riders were perpetrators of various types of crimes.
The report titled 'Boda Boda Motorcycle Transport and Security Challenges in Kenya' found that the most prevalent boda boda related crimes committed by riders were 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 other crimes perpetrated by the riders.
The reports specifically found that the months of December, April, August and January experienced most of the crimes.
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.
