Teargas fired to disperse irate crowd that wanted to burn MP’s car

By Richard Kisa in Trans Nzoia County

Police in Kitale Town, Trans Nzoia County on Wednesday, October 28, were forced to fire teargas to disperse an irate crowd that wanted to torch an MP’s vehicle after it knocked down and killed a senior boda boda operator in the area.

The lawmaker’s car, a Toyota Prado, was involved in a head-on collision with a boda boda, which was heading towards Tulwet in Kimilili from Kitale Town. The incident happened at St. Joseph’s area.

K24 Digital understands that the car, which was heading to Kitale Town from Kitale airstrip, belongs to Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto. At the time of the accident, the legislator was not in the car.

We also understand that the person who was at the wheel at the time of the crash was not Moroto’s official driver.

David Magero, the chairman of boda boda operators in Kitale Town, died on the spot. Magero was a pillion passenger during the accident.

The rider of the boda boda -- that Magero was aboard -- suffered a broken leg and other minor injuries. The injured rider is receiving treatment at the Kitale County Referral Hospital.

Magero, his transporter and tens of other boda boda operators were heading to Tulwet to bury their colleague, when the accident occurred.

After it was established that Magero had died following the crash, the boda boda riders roughed up the driver of the MP’s car and set its seats on fire with the aim of torching the entire vehicle.

However, before they could completely execute their plan, police arrived at the scene and hurled teargas at the riders.

The law enforcement officers, thereafter, towed the mangled car and boda boda boda to the Kitale Police Station. Magero’s body was moved to the Kitale County Referral Hospital morgue, whereas the "offending" driver is being held in custody at the Kitale Police Station.

The incident was confirmed to K24 Digital by the officer in charge of operations in Kitale, Chemongis Ndiema.