Angry youths force Police to release boda bodas, clergy

Angry youths blocked the busy Eldoret-Mosoriot-Kapsabet road demanding the release of 10 motorbike operators and a cleric who were arrested by police.

The youths, who lit tyres on the road creating a snarl-up, wondered why the officers had detained the operators without any sufficient reasons.

The incident that started from 9am caused a heavy jam that lasted almost five hours before it was resolved.

Dixon Leting, a cleric at Kabilo Africa Inland Church, was apprehended after he attempted to intervene in the matter.

He said the police arrested him and locked him up in their vehicle as he left a hotel where he had gone to take tea before heading to church.

PASTOR’S INTERVENTION

“I was only concerned about the arrest of the motorbike operators. I saw their boda bodas being impounded by the police and I tried to inquire from them what was happening. The officers, however, turned on me before locking us up in their vehicle,” said Mr Leting.

The pastor accused the officers of derailing him from performing his church duties.

It took the intervention of former Kanu politician Mark Too, who was attending a fundraiser at a local church, to calm the irate locals who wanted to attack the officers.

“I will not leave this place until all those that have been arrested are released,” said Mr Too.

Josphat Cheruiyot, who was among the 10 cyclists, said he was on his way from a nearby shop and before he could park his bike, the police told him to jump into the waiting lorry.

The officers led by County Police Commandant Severano Kubai later released 10 operators and the cleric.