A group of boda boda riders from Zimmerman, Nairobi, have accused a local loan company of drugging them and stealing motorcycles financed through its loan program. The riders claim that after their bikes were stolen, they were shocked to find the same motorcycles being displayed for sale at the firm’s premises.
According to the riders, several of their colleagues have recently fallen victim to mysterious theft incidents involving unknown assailants posing as passengers. The alleged attackers reportedly drug the riders before making away with their motorcycles, phones, and cash.
In one reported incident, a rider who picked up a passenger was allegedly drugged and robbed of his motorbike. After reporting the matter to Membly Police Station, he visited the loan company, only to be informed that his bike’s tracker had been deactivated in Mlolongo, Machakos County. Shockingly, the following day, he found the same motorcycle on display at the company’s yard, allegedly being prepared for resale.
Outraged by the discovery, the riders mobilized their colleagues and raided the firm’s premises on Wednesday evening, demanding justice.
“These people came to our stage pretending to be customers. They would drug you and steal your bike,” said Samuel Oyaro, one of the affected riders. “They once did that to my friend, taking his phone, money, and motorcycle.”
Ruiru Sub-County Police Commander Maina Kibathi confirmed the incident, saying officers responded after receiving reports from the aggrieved riders. “We got a report that a complainant’s motorcycle was stolen and later found at the company. We have now taken all motorcycles at the premises to the station for verification,” he stated.
Police have launched investigations to determine the ownership of the impounded motorcycles and to establish whether the company was involved in the alleged theft racket.
