Nairobi boda boda riders reached an agreement with the city's police officers after a meeting at Green Park terminus on Saturday, November 12.
In the meeting, the 300 boda boda riders agreed to work in tandem with the police officers, including Nairobi Operations Commander David Apima to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
They argued that the city has hardworking boda boda operators whose reputation was being soiled by a few bad apples, most of whom are not boda boda riders.
Boda Boda Association of Kenya Secretary General Ken Onyango held that some of the thugs behind the spike of criminal activities in the city were not registered to any of the associations in the metropolitan area.
"Everyone on the Kenyan roads has the right to buy a motorcycle. They get on the roads, put on reflectors and helmets just like us. That does not mean they are boda boda riders," stated Onyango.
Larry Juma, the Vice Chair of Eminent Boda Transcoop, corroborated with Onyango's statement explaining that the riders were willing to work with the police and restore order within the industry.
"We have received so many reports claiming that boda boda riders are involved in insecurity. We as eminent have guaranteed them security and called them to work together to understand what hey want us to change so that if an issue arises, we can report to them," he assured.
Apima, on the other hand, put the criminals on notice explaining that in some instances, the thugs were using unregistered motorcycles to carry out the heinous acts.
"We will not allow Kenyan citizens to be stabbed by a boda boda thief. Boda boda is a good job because at the end of the day, you put food on the table but the other one (thief) has come with a sinister agenda to get stolen money.
"We have put the thieves on notice. We shall not entertain them. They will get what they are looking for," the Operations Commander disclosed.
Since the spike was first reported at the beginning of November, the police in Nairobi launched a crackdown and arrested 28 individuals while impounding 200 motorcycles.
Nairobi Police Commander James Mugera, on November 3, explained that a majority of the motorcycles lacked valid number plates or their operators did not have proper documentation.
He also cautioned Kenyans to be weary of the motorbike gang which meticulously trails its victims and steals valuables from them.
