Not all riders  are criminals, Raila tells police  

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)  party leader Raila Odinga yesterday  called on police officers to stop harassing boda boda riders following the public uproar over the assault of a lady motorist in Nairobi.

 President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a nationwide crackdown but Raila cautioned that majority of the riders were law-abiding citizens, saying the crackdown should only target criminal elements within the sector.

 Speaking in Maua Stadium and Maili Tatu in Igembe south and central respectively,  Raila called for restraint by the police.

During the rally,  Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi and his long term political rival Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya buried the hatchet and threw their weight behind Raila; who is the Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate designate.

Few criminals

Hundreds of riders have been arrested and their motorbikes impounded across the country in the crackdown.

 “We are calling on police to stop harassing the boda boda business operators because others should not suffer because of a few criminals who sexually harassed a woman in Nairobi,” said the former prime minister.

  “Let that criminal be arrested and face full force of the law, but let us not punish all the boda boda operators because of an offence was committed by one or two criminals,” added Raila.

 On Tuesday, the Head of State ordered a national crackdown saying he could not sit back and watch the sector interfere with the integrity of women.

“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,” Uhuru said. 

The mind-games between Kiraitu and Munya continued to play out during the Azimio tour, with some leaders-including Kiraitu- asking Raila to pick the CS as his running mate.

 Addressing  the crowd, Kiraitu kept on wooing Munya to support him  for the governorship but the latter did not respond to the call.

  “Our people do you want me and Munya to work together now that we are both supporting Azimio?” posed Kiraitu.

He added: “ We are asking our next President who is Raila to consider Munya for a top post because we know he is equal to the task and as a reward now that the region is fully behind him and his presidential bid.”

 “Meru County is behind Baba and we are ready to walk together as the Azimio family and support Raila, to ensure he becomes the next president after Uhuru retire from office,” said Munya.

 The former Meru governor at the same time urged Mt Kenya region not to rally behind Kenya Kwanza Alliance  claiming they have no clear and genuine agenda for the country .

 “ I urge you not to support Deputy President William Ruto because he has no genuine  agenda for the people of Meru and the country as a whole. He is an enemy of unity and development, “ Munya said.

Raila called on Kiraitu and Munya to end their political differences now that they are both in Azimio. 

“ Having Kiraitu and Munya in Azimio is an assurance that the region has decided to have a leader who is ready to unite and improve the economy of the nation,” said Raila .

 Others at the rallies included governors Hassan Joho(Mombasa), John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot) ,Chariy Ngilu (Kitui),Nderitu Muriithi (Laikipia), Senator James Orengo,Lenny Kivuti(ex- senator, Embu),MPs Maoka Maore (Igembe North), Babu  Owino( Embakasi East ) and Kieni legislator Kanini Kega- who called on Mt Kenya region to back Raila for presidency, claiming he is the only visionary leader fit to carry the legacy of president Kenyatta.

Play politics

The tour was a major boost for Raila after Mt Kenya East leaders resolved to support Azimio la Umoja in the August 9th poll.

  Kiraitu who had been playing safe on who to back for presidency, officially announced that he will  seek re- election under Azimio umbrella, disputing claims that he was heading to Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

 “I don’t play politics with emotions.   I have done my research and mathematics. I have decided to support Raila and Bus party and we will do everything possible and within our power to ensure Raila wins the election,” said Kiraitu. 

 “We  are not foolish as we look but we are  done with our research and just concluded that  our ‘Bus’ party can only form a coalition with Azimio and not Kenya Kwanza. We are politically safe there because all we want is a clear deal with someone who is genuine,  so that we can get a share of the national cake as Meru people and Mt Kenya East,” added kiraitu.

   “As people of Mt Kenya East, we have decided to support Raila, so we are asking our counterparts from West to join us so that we can form a better government through Raila,” said Kivuti

  Kiraitu made the decision a day after Meru Senator Mithika Linturi joined the governorship race under Ruto’s UDA.

 Linturi is expected to give the Meru county boss a run for his money.

Meru county women Rep Kawira Mwangaza is the other candidate in the race.

Elsewhere, boda boda operators in Narok County have pleaded for leniency saying they were suffering as a result of the crackdown.

“Most of us have acquired our motorbikes on loans which we are still paying. We plead with the President to consider revoking the directive as most of us are very disciplined,” said Gideon Lemayian, the Narok boda boda chairman.

He pleaded with authorities to give them time to get all the required documents in order to comply with the traffic rules.