The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has raised serious concern over what it describes as a growing wave of violence linked to boda boda operators.
The alarm follows a disturbing incident in Thika’s Makongeni area, where the vehicle of a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer was set on fire after a confrontation turned deadly.
In a strongly worded statement, MAK condemned what it termed as the “increasing excesses” of boda boda riders, saying their actions have become a direct threat to law and order on Kenyan roads.
The association accused the operators of repeatedly engaging in harassment and violent behavior toward motorists while authorities and law enforcement agencies allegedly remain silent.
According to the statement, police officers have for years watched boda boda riders openly break traffic laws without taking any action.
MAK noted that riders are often seen riding against traffic, overtaking dangerously, ignoring traffic lights, and even using pedestrian walkways. The association said this reckless behavior has created an environment where motorists feel unsafe and unfairly targeted.
“This has been the situation for too long,” the statement read. “Government authorities only seem to act when a high-ranking official or VIP is affected. But when ordinary citizens are abused, assaulted, robbed, or even have their cars destroyed, no one takes action.”
The association further accused boda boda operators of double standards whenever accidents occur. In most cases, riders allegedly flee the scene when they are at fault, but when a motorist is involved, they quickly gang up against the driver.
MAK said that motorists are often cornered, beaten, forced to pay instant compensation, or in some cases robbed of their belongings under the guise of justice.
The statement continued: “Kenya today operates under two sets of laws—one for ordinary road users, and another for boda boda riders, who behave as though they are untouchable.
The situation is worst in Nairobi’s Central Business District, where they openly flout traffic rules, block roads, overlap dangerously, ride on pavements, and even endanger pedestrians with complete impunity.”
The comments came just after the violent Thika incident on Sunday, which shocked the nation. Reports indicate that a confrontation between a DCI officer and boda boda operators escalated, leading the officer to open fire and fatally shoot two riders.
In retaliation, other boda boda operators descended on the officer’s car and set it ablaze. The officer has since been arrested, but the incident has reignited debate over boda boda violence.
While acknowledging the tragedy of the lives lost, MAK stressed that the act of torching the officer’s vehicle was not an isolated case but part of a worrying pattern of mob justice and lawlessness among boda boda operators.
The association warned that if no action is taken, such retaliatory acts will continue to destabilize public safety.
Calling the situation “untenable,” MAK urged boda boda leadership across the country to take responsibility for their members.
They demanded that boda boda associations introduce stricter discipline and educate riders on lawful and safe practices to restore order and protect the lives of both motorists and passengers.
This was not the first time boda boda riders have been linked to violent mob incidents. Just a week before the Thika chaos, the operators were blamed for torching a Super Metro bus in Nairobi after it allegedly knocked down and killed one of their colleagues.
The back-to-back cases, according to MAK, show a disturbing trend that needs urgent government and community intervention before it escalates further.
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