Police reject claims of inaction as boda boda crime debate rages
By Faith Lagat, February 2, 2026The National Police Service has dismissed allegations of inaction over rising tensions between public service vehicles (PSVs) and boda boda operators, insisting investigations into arson and violence are ongoing.
Senior Superintendent of Police Boniface Otieno told a local television station that incidents, particularly the torching of PSVs, are being thoroughly probed. “It is not true that there is inaction by the police or by government as my fellow panelist is alluding,” Otieno said.
He clarified that while public debate often refers to “matatus,” the term technically applies to vehicles carrying fewer than 25 passengers, including the driver.
“But the word matatu truly narrows the scope,” he explained. “We could have used public service vehicles versus boda boda because when you talk about matatu… we are leaving out the buses [and] public transport vehicles.”
Investigations ongoing, arrests made
Otieno emphasised that police act immediately after crimes are reported, following meticulous procedures to collect evidence. Constitutional protections for suspects prevent premature public announcements of arrests, he noted.
“We will not come again to you to call another press conference as we have arrested the culprits,” he said, citing the Bill of Rights.
He encouraged citizens to visit police stations for case updates. Referring to a recent vehicle torching in Pangani Police Station’s jurisdiction, Otieno confirmed three arrests. “Yes. Three people arrested so far,” he said, warning against blanket blame on boda boda operators.
Criminal infiltration complicates the picture
“Not necessarily all of them are boda boda operators,” Otieno stressed. “There are instances where we have realised that criminals, other criminals with bad intentions, infiltrate and take advantage.”
He added that ongoing probes repeatedly reveal such infiltration but declined to provide further details to avoid compromising investigations.
His remarks come amid a disrupted morning commute in Nairobi and Thika Town on Monday, February 2, 2026, as sections of the matatu industry stayed off the roads despite reports that a planned strike had been called off.
Long queues formed at bus stops across the city, forcing many workers to walk long distances or turn to alternative transport such as boda bodas and ride-hailing services. Some matatu operators went further by blocking major roads, including Moi Avenue in the CBD and parts of Waiyaki Way in Westlands, causing severe traffic congestion.
The industrial action follows rising tensions between matatu associations and boda boda operators, with claims that riders have destroyed vehicles involved in accidents, creating a hostile and unsafe working environment.
Although the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) had suspended the strike after consultations with stakeholders, including security agencies and boda boda representatives, disruptions continued as the sector awaited further dialogue aimed at resolving the issues peacefully.