By Gerald Mukembu
Bodaboda riders in Iridii Town, Igembe Central, Meru County, are expressing their frustration and desperation over increasing violence against their colleagues, threatening to take justice into their own hands if authorities fail to apprehend the culprits behind recent killings.
During the burial of a fellow rider, operators from the Igembe South, Igembe Central, and Igembe North regions implored security agencies to strengthen security measures in their area. They highlighted a disturbing trend of armed robberies, where bodaboda operators are regularly attacked, shot, and robbed of their motorcycles.
Just a week ago, 21-year-old Collins Munene, a bodaboda rider, was tragically shot twice in the chest by robbers while performing his duties. His murder has sent shockwaves through the community.
Area politician Jacob Mantili urged local Member of Parliament Dan Kiili to hold security agencies accountable for their investigations and ensure that those responsible for such heinous crimes are brought to justice. “We demand thorough investigations to arrest the killers. We cannot allow the lives of innocent young men to be cut short,” Mantili stated emphatically.
The riders’ concerns escalated to a protest in Laare, where normal business activities and transport ground to a halt, reflecting the community’s alarm over rising insecurity.
According to reports, the assailants fled the scene with the deceased’s motorcycle. Munene’s body was later discovered on the roadside, marked by gunshot wounds, raising further alarm among local residents.
The bodaboda operators have called on Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma to convene a meeting with them to address the escalating security issues. They emphasized the importance of personal security, urging every rider to remain vigilant, as individual safety begins with self-awareness.
As tensions rise, the community awaits swift action from authorities to restore safety and prevent further tragedies.
