23 boda boda riders arrested over burning of matatu on Lang’ata Road
Police have arrested 23 boda boda operators believed to have been involved in the setting ablaze of a matatu involved in an accident on Saturday along Lang’ata road.
This comes after the police launched investigations into the incident where boda boda riders, who were within the vicinity of the acident, proceeded to burn the matatu belonging to Ongata Rongai Sacco.
The matatu, registration number KCB 632 M, had knocked down a male cyclist leaving him with fatal injuries.
Police spokesman George Kinoti, in a statement on Sunday evening, confirmed the arrests saying that the 23 are assisting police with investigations.
He added that more suspects are being sought by the police.
CLEAR WARNING
“So far 23 boda boda operators have been arrested and are in custody assisting with investigations. Other suspects are being sought for arrest with the aim of bringing justice to the aggrieved and to send a clear warning that lawlessness on our roads of whatever form will not be tolerated,” said Mr Kinoti.
Mr Kinoti condemned the growing habit, especially by boda boda riders, of taking the law into their own hands and molesting other road users in accident scenes.
“We have noted with grave concern that some boda boda riders have developed a tendency of quickly mobilizing their members whenever an incident involving one of them happens and proceed to harass members of public or even destroy property like the incident in Nairobi.
HOOLIGANISM
“We wish to warn that this manner of hooliganism, disregarding road traffic laws as well as other penal code laws will not be tolerated,” he said.
Mr Kinoti added that police officers have been instructed to deal firmly with all law breakers including gangs pretending to be boda boda riders.
He appealed to the public to report to the police acts of hooliganism by any road user.
He confirmed that the suspects will be arraigned in a court of law as soon as the investigations are completed.
