Boda boda rider in Kisumu stabbed to death, 5 others injured for flouting Mutahi Kagwe directive

By , K24 Digital
On Thu, 2 Apr, 2020 21:49 | 2 mins read
Boda boda
Boda boda riders. [PHOTO | FILE]
Boda boda riders. [PHOTO | FILE]

A boda boda operator in the peri-urban estate of Manyatta A Location on the eastern outskirts of Kisumu County was killed by his colleagues for allegedly carrying more than one pillion passenger contrary to a directive issued by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe on Monday, March 30.

Kagwe said the edict was issued to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission between a boda boda rider and his client(s). The Cabinet Secretary (CS) said a limit on the number of passengers carried will enable the operator and the passenger “maintain some level of distance”.

“The boda boda rider and the passenger must also wear masks for protection,” said Kagwe last Monday.

“We shall be spreading out the masks in all counties shortly for use by the boda boda riders,” the minister said, calling upon the boda boda association leaders to oversee the process and ensure its implementation while police enforce the same.

And, three days after the directive was issued, boda boda riders in Kisumu stabbed to death their colleague who had carried two passengers, accusing him of flouting Kagwe’s instructions.

K24 Digital understands that boda boda leaders of a Kisumu community based organisation had taken it upon themselves to implement CS Kagwe’s directives.

And during a 6:40pm crackdown at Manyatta Shule Junction area, the CBO members and other boda boda riders descended on operators who had more than one passenger on the pillion.

Following that crackdown, one victim, who had carried two pillion passengers, was fatally stabbed using a kitchen knife, and five others injured. The injured, including two who are nursing grievous wounds, were taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.

Manyata A Location Chief, Philip Onyina, confirmed the incident to K24 Digital.

Unconfirmed reports suggest deep-rooted rivalry was an underlying factor that led to the Thursday evening attacks.

Police say a search for the killer-group has been launched.