Motorbike operators in Nairobi ordered to end operations by 8pm

Boda Boda operator.

By CYRUS OMBATI

Nairobi, Kenya: Police have ordered motorbike operators to end their operations by 8 pm daily as part of an efforts to contain violent crimes in Nairobi.

Nairobi police chief Benson Kibue said statistics show a sharp rise in crime being committed by gunmen on motorbikes late in the night.

“We have decided to stop their operations from 8 pm and they should know they will be detained if they are found beyond this time,” said Kibue.

He added that the measure is part of the ones they have taken to curb incidents of crime in Nairobi. While other measures include enhanced police patrols in the city centre, highways and estates.

Bodaboda operators have also been victims of robbery as they are usually attacked and robbed of their motorbikes during their night services.

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The directives is likely to affect businesses for the operators who usually operate at night.

Kibue made the remarks when he received five motorbikes from the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi at the Kilimani police station.

The motorbikes will be used by police personnel to patrol the Kilimani area.

The embassy’s deputy chief of mission Mr Tian Li said security is crucial for development to be achieved in the country.

“We all know where there is security, there is stability and development and that is why we are joining in the campaign,” said Li.

During the occasion, Kibue also warned matatu operators in the city against defying their directives to screen all passengers who board their vehicles.

“If a tout and driver fail to screen the passengers and they are robbed, we will take action on them.” he said.

He made the remarks following a Monday night carjacking incident where a mini bus passengers were robbed in Uthiru area along Waiyaki Way.

Police said the matatu was to drop passengers in Kikuyu when some of them turned out to be thugs and commandeered it to a dark alley where they beat them while robbing them of their cash and other valuables.

The gang later abandoned the bus with the passengers and escaped. Police say they arrested the tout and driver over the incident and will appear in court this morning to face robbery charges.