All boda boda riders operating within Kitengela town and its environs must register with relevant governing bodaboda association and their names submitted to the security committee, authorities in Kajiado County have announced.
The directive came following a crisis meeting held between the riders and security officers amid a major ongoing crackdown on riders suspected to have been involved in assaulting a motorist last week.
During the incident, the female motorist accompanied by a male passenger sped off after hitting a pedestrian before later being involved in multiple motorcycle accidents that left several people nursing injuries.
The duo escaped death by a whisker after agitated riders attacked and accosted them by pelting stones and blocking the vehicle. Traffic police officers who were trailing the vehicle rescued the two rushing them to hospital as they had sustained serious injuries.
Following the incident, largely condemned on social media, police officers have been conducting a major crackdown among riders in what they say is identification of those involved.
In the heated meeting led by Kitengela Assistant County Commissioner Chrispus Mazoya, Kitengela OCS David Ole Shani and Kitengela traffic commander Sarah Warukha among others, the riders were castigated over the unruly behavior.
"Every Kenyan has a right. While enjoying your right to be safe on the road, be informed as a rider that your rights should not interfere with the rights of the other person. The rule of the law is defined and if someone is in the wrong you are supposed to let the concerned authorities deal with him, "Mazoya told the riders.
The officers sent a stern warning against those taking the law into their own hands, saying they would face the wrath of the law.
"No bodaboda operator should dare operate in this town if he or she is not registered with the relevant authorities. We will not tolerate unruly behaviour of mob justice when an accident happens, "Shani warned the riders.
On the other hand, the riders also appealed to security agencies to take into account their safety by ensuring cases of motorbike theft are fully investigated and the criminals arrested.
"The issue of motorcycle theft should be addressed with the same strength and energy we are seeing when it comes to the incident of a motorist being attacked. We arrest and present theft suspects but they are later released in unclear circumstances. Let security agencies also deal with crime passionately for our safety as well," a rider said.
They also urged police to detest from incriminating arrest of riders pledging to name those involved in unruly behavior.
"We apologize for the ugly incident. As boda boda riders we regret the harm caused and we promise to work hand in hand with security officers to name those who were involved. On the same breath, we would wish that a few rogue officers who are arresting riders indiscriminately to stop," Geoffrey Karanja, the boda boda riders association chairman said.
The populous Kitengela town has over 7,000 riders operating in 140 earmarked stages.
