Police declare dusk curfew for Kikuyu boda boda riders in bid to arrest crime

Police officers manning a road block along the Nakuru-Ol Kalou road on May 18, 2021. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Police in Kikuyu area have imposed a curfew on boda boda operators in an attempt to curb rising crime.

In a meeting with boda boda operators, Kikuyu OCPD Catherine Ringera said the stringent measure is aimed at smoking out criminals purporting to be boda boda riders.

"There is a trend where criminals hiding under the guise of operating boda boda have been terrorising innocent Kenyans in the aforementioned areas," said Ms Ringera.

The police boss said that crime incidences had risen in the area, with criminals using motorcycles to escape.

"Some criminals are riding the bikes and their mission is to steal. Now we want the boda boda business to cease by midnight so that we can be able to contain this crime wave," she added.

Ringera said that the most affected parts are Kinoo, Regen and Kikuyu, where thugs on motorbikes have been snatching phones and other valuables from civilians.

"We have a case where thieves on a motorbike seriously injured a man here in Kikuyu. Our men (police) gave chase and caught up with the thugs at Mutarakwa Forest towards Mai Mahiu. We managed to arrest one suspect but two escaped into the forest," said Ringera.

She urged genuine boda boda operators to report to police any criminals who were in their midst.

Allan Njenga, a boda boda rider, said all but a few riders were willing to comply with the orders. "We do good business at Kinoo and Regen, yet these are the most affected areas according to police. This is because of the many nyama choma joints that operate almost for 24 hours. We camp there targeting the revellers who bargain less."

Mr Njenga said that if all boda boda riders heeded the OCPD's call and reported the 'bad elements' among them, this would make work easier for the police to arrest the criminals.