Matatu operators in Kenya now want the government to tighten regulations on boda-boda operators who have been torching vehicles on Kenyan roads
The operators say in the last one week more than five vehicles have been set ablaze by rowdy boda-boda operators in different parts of the country leaving them in ashes.
And now matatu operators say as these and other cases are being in witnessed, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General Douglas Kanja are yet to condemn the actions or issued directives on the sector.
Mass Mobility Operators Association, on behalf of the matatu owners have said the recent acts have not only left investors counting losses worth millions of shillings but also could force the to form rival gang to face off with the riders.
“In the past few weeks, we have witnessed rising cases of boda-boda riders torching our vehicles and also private cars, we are condemning those criminal acts,” Mass Mobility Operators Association Chairman Nelson Mwangi said
“These vehicles that are being set a blaze are not only machines but drivers of the economy of this country and investors have gotten them through a lot of sweat, and loans thus it pains when we see them being set a blaze,” he added
As these cases are being witnessed, the chairman said the concerned authorities including have gone mute in move that has embolden the rider who are caught on the wrong in some cases.
“We have not heard from the transport Cabinet Secretary, Interior and the NTSA which is the regulator condemning the acts, in fact even the Inspector General who is heading the law enforcers has not come out to say what action will be taken on the criminals who torch vehicles,” the chairman said
Adding that, “We are wondering if they are not seeing insecurity on our roads, we are calling upon the government to take action because we are saying we cannot be silent when our business are being set a blaze,”
The association’s secretary general Wilfred Bosire said in the last one week seven cases have been reported across the country among them two in Nairobi, one in Kaimbu, Vihiga and in other cases motorists have been injured by the boda-boda riders.
“We urge the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, the Inspector General of Police and County governments to put boda-boda operators under strict regulation so as weed out criminal elements hiding behind the sector,”Bosire stated
Adding that, “boda-bodas are an important part of our transport ecosystem, but they cannot operate above the law, justice must be served not only for the victims of the acciddents but also for vehicle owners and operators who haave lost millions of shillings in destroyed property,”
