Eldoret Bodaboda operators demonstrate against theft of their colleague's motorbike by police officer

Police officers from Langas Police Station clear the Eldoret-Kapsabet road that was blocked by bodaboda operators after a police officer from the station allegedly stole a bike from one of the riders. PHOTO: KEVIN TUNOI

KENYA: Police in Eldoret were forced to lob tear gas to disperse bodaboda operators protesting against alleged theft of a motorbike by a police officer. The operators from Langas stormed the Central Police Station accusing the officer of robbing their colleague of his motor bike after posing as a client.

Police officers had to use to teargas to disperse the riders who were moving in a convoy hooting and chanting in protest against the law enforcers' involvement in criminal activities.
The operators moved out of the Central Business District and proceeded with their demonstration in Langas area blocking the Eldoret-Kapsabet Highway for over an hour before they were dispersed.

Namuel Rotich, the chairperson Tuiyo Bodaboda Sacco claimed the officer attached to Langas Police Station stole the motor bike on yesterday morning.

"Our colleague was asked by two officers to take them on a routine daytime patrol in Kipkaren, but later tricked him and disappeared with the motorbike. We went to Langas police station and he was able to identify the officer," he said.

Onesmus Charles, whose motorbike was stolen, said two police officers approached him at around 10.00am and requested if he would take them round on a routine patrol which he obliged.
Charles said after he had made several stops the officers whom he overheard saying they were off duty told him that illicit drinks brewers they were targeting would notice them and asked for his helmet.

"I gave one of the officers my helmet and he asked me to give him the motorbike which he would return in a short while and after a few minutes he returned and took his colleague and promised to return it in 10 minutes," said Charles.

He said after ten minutes elapsed without the plain clothed officers who had handcuffs and a pistol returning he sensed something was amiss and alerted his colleagues.

"We went to Police Stations around Eldoret and officers their denied knowing the individuals we described but we later found out that one of them was attached to Langas police station," said Edward Bundi a member of Tuiyo sacco.

Langas OCPD Esther Muhoro confirmed having received complaints from the bodaboda operators and said they had initiated an investigation to establish if officer was linked to the matter.
"We cannot incriminate the suspect as at now but investigations have begun, we will not tolerate officers who are perpetrating crime and the law will take its course," said Muhoro.