Bodaboda riders in Majengo area in Narok town have vowed to deal firmly with rogue individuals using motorcycles to commit crimes saying no one would be allowed to tarnish the name of their business.
Speaking after a suspected motorcycle thief was beaten to death after a cycle theft incident turned sour, the operators said theirs was an honest business from which they eked out their living.
Narok Bodaboda Association Chairman Brian Lemayian said that they were tired of announcing stolen motorcycle incidents day in day out in their social media platforms and thus they needed to fish out any rogue member until sanity is restored in the business.
“Let this incident serve as a warning to those out to tarnish the name of the bodaboda industry that has improved the livelihoods of many in this town,” warned Lemayian.
Through the numerous incidents reported, Lemayian said that such incidents have turned the police stations into their ‘homes’, as they never fail to report whenever these incidents occur.
“Police officers can attest to the fact that we never fail to report such incidences where some go unpunished while others are brought to book. The officers need to step up their game and ensure all culprits are dealt with in accordance with the law,” said Lemayian.
Gabriel Kosen who is a rider in charge of security in the association shared similar sentiments with Lemayian saying that they would not relent on this matter until the vice is completely eliminated.
Narok Central Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) Benson Pamba confirmed the incident and affirmed their commitment to addressing the matter amicably.
Pamba disclosed that on Wednesday, the area Officer Commanding Station (OCS) attended a meeting at the William Ole Ntimama stadium in Narok town to deliberate on the way forward concerning security issues affecting the bodaboda riders.
In the meeting, the OCS urged them to co-operate and freely give out information to the police officers so that they help out in stemming out the vice that has become a thorn in the flesh for the locals.
“By sharing this information with the police officers, it will help greatly in conducting investigations that will help in curbing this vice and arresting the suspects,” noted Pamba.
Prior to this incident, a rider by the name Alex Momanyi reported to Narok Central police station the loss of his motorcycle, which was the same that was spotted by the public at around 7pm yesterday. This sparked anger among the locals who decided to attack the suspected thief.
Pamba further confirmed that police officers injured during the rescue mission were treated and discharged while the suspected motorcycle thief was pronounced dead on arrival at the Narok County hospital.
The body of the deceased has been retained at the same hospital morgue awaiting postmortem and identification while the recovered motorcycle was towed to the Narok Central police station.
By Emily Kadzo
