Bungoma on Edge as Boda Boda Killings, Motorcycle Thefts Surge
Market official Kisa confirmed that Abubakar’s body has been removed to the mortuary. He urged police to hasten investigations and arrest suspects.
Local leaders are also calling for better police-boda boda associations coordination to help trace stolen motorbikes and better the security. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Bungoma County police have started investigating the killing of a Kakamega County boda boda operator.
Abubakar was stabbed on Sunday evening after he had picked a passenger. His neighbor, Bob Hamisi, explained Abubakar had agreed to take a client to the Nyange area at around 6 p.m.
It was a routine ride,” Hamisi said. “But it was an ambush. By Monday morning, his body was found. It was badly mutilated.”
The motorcycle was stolen as well, and it has not been found.
Market official Kisa confirmed that Abubakar’s body has been removed to the mortuary. He urged police to hasten investigations and arrest suspects.
Kisa also raised an alarm over the growing trend of boda boda rider killings and motorcycle thefts within the region.
“This is not the first case,” he remarked. “We have had numerous riders killed within the past few weeks, and their motorcycles stolen. It’s a concern for anybody working in this line of work.”
Riders here assert that insecurity has made their line of work dangerous. The majority now fear to conduct night rides due to the rising attacks.
Locals have called on the county security unit to increase patrols and deploy surveillance in crime-prone areas.
Local leaders are also calling for better police-boda boda associations coordination to help trace stolen motorbikes and better the security.
Abubakar’s murder has resulted in outrage in Bungoma and Kakamega counties. Colleagues and fellow motorbike riders remembered him as hardworking and well-liked in society.
“This is tragic,” a rider cried. “We demand justice for Abubakar and safety for all boda boda operators.”
Locals have been assured by police that they are searching for the assassins. They also promised to investigate recent similar attacks in order to figure out possible links to organized motorcycle thieves operating in the region.
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