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Police are today set to arraign 20 boda boda cyclists in a Kajiado court over last Thursday’s attack on a female motorist in Kitengela in an incident that has triggered outrage on social media.

The 20 were rounded up in Kitengela on Saturday morning after a video showing hordes of boda boda cyclists attacking the female motorist and her male passenger near a petrol station on the Nairobi-Namanga Road.

In the video that went viral attracting outrage from a cross-section of Kenyans, the hapless motorist is seen being pulled out of the vehicle and roughed up by a mob as traffic police officers try in vain, to intervene.

The male passenger is also seen being attacked and roughed up before seeking refuge in a nearby shop.
The attackers then descend on the couple’s vehicle, pelting it with rocks as traffic police watch helplessly.

A police statement released following the incident identified the female motorist as Conex Kemunto Onengo and her male passenger as Christopher Mutua.

“It occurred today at 1930 hrs along Kitengela- Athi River Road where the motor vehicle reg no. KDG 265E Nissan Juke driven by Conex Kemuto Onengo, hit the unknown motorcycle also heading towards Kitengela from Athi River carrying one pillion passenger namely Felix Delorie aged 35yrs who sustained lower right leg wound, left forehead injury and back head injury,” read the statement.

Driver sped off

“The driver then sped off towards Namanga general direction through the Arusha service lane and hit pedestrian Bernard Mutinda aged 32yrs injuring him on the left leg below the knee and his son Hashley Baraka age 4yrs who complains of chest pains. She drove towards the Old Namanga Road and hit an unknown motorcycle, which the rider escaped, injuring the pillion passenger DAMARIS WANDIA aged 28 yrs, who is expectant, on the left leg and bruises on both hands,” it went on.

“She then hit a pedestrian, Joseph Mutiso Wambua, injuring him the right leg and right shoulder. She then drove through Tarmac Road, exiting the Shell Petrol Station at Enkare, where the vehicle was blocked by rowdy Boda Boda riders. The vehicle was extensively damaged with stones and was towed to police station awaiting inspection. The co-driver Christopher Mutua was beaten and sustained injuries on the upper lip, two broken front upper teeth, and bruises on his forehead. The driver is in police custody,” it concluded.

Arrested cyclists

In a subsequent statement, police said they had arrested the 20 motorcyclists in connection with the incident.

“The above operation was conducted today 19th January 2024 by the OCS Kitengela, DCI Personnel and a team of officers in response to an incident that occured within Kitengela township on 18/1/2024 reported vide OB 98/18/01/2024 Twenty persons have been arrested and twenty six motorbikes detained at the police station, to be charged for the offence of Malicious damage/Assault,” it read.

The incident attracted outrage on social media with many calling for deterrent action to be taken against the motorcyclists.

“I suppose the lady drove off because of the fear of being attacked by boda boda riders. In most cases riders gang up to harass and fight a motorist when an accident occurs. It is unfortunate that the risky speeding left several nursing injuries. Drastic measures need to be taken by concerned stakeholders to tame rogue riders from taking law into their hands,” said Ann Were, a Kitengela resident.

A major crisis meeting between the security officers and all riders is scheduled to take place today at the assistant county commissioner grounds.

The populous Kitengela town and its environs has over 7,000 registered bodaboda operators.
It is not the first time police have launched a crackdown on boda boda riders following attacks on motorists.

In March 2022, former President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a major crackdown on all boda boda operators in Nairobi and across the country following a similar incident during which a female motorist was sexually assaulted.

Uhuru said the crackdown should not be seen as targeting small businesses, but to restore sanity in the sector.

“I want to refer to the video circulating. It was disheartening and it was only one of these incidents shown. I have ordered a crackdown on all boda boda operators starting here in Nairobi and moving across the country. I know we are in the busy season of politics, and some will say the government is harassing small business owners. There is no such thing,” he said.

“Riding a boda boda is not a license to do drive-by shootings, and most definitely for you to strip and remove dignity from our women. We want to support our boda bodas, but even these women are your customers. Treat them with respect.”