A boda boda rider was brutally killed and his motorcycle stolen in a violent robbery in the Karda area of Trans Mara, Narok County. The rider, identified as 38-year-old Isaac Onami, was found with fatal stab wounds and a slit throat after being attacked by unknown assailants on Wednesday.
According to police reports, the attackers fled with his motorcycle, leaving his body by the roadside. Investigations into the incident have been launched, with authorities treating the case as both murder and robbery.
This tragic incident highlights the growing insecurity facing boda boda operators across the country. Police say there has been a notable increase in attacks targeting motorcycle riders, with many being left seriously injured or killed. The stolen motorcycles are often refurbished and sold in other regions, making it difficult to trace them.
Authorities have urged boda boda operators to prioritise their safety when confronted by robbers. “Some attackers are extremely violent and have little regard for life. Riders are encouraged to cooperate rather than resist during such encounters to avoid fatal outcomes,” a police officer advised.
In a related incident in Silbwet, Bomet County, a man named Leonard Kipkorir succumbed to injuries in hospital after being attacked by a mob over theft allegations. He was rushed to the intensive care unit but died shortly after. His body has been taken to the mortuary, pending a postmortem and further investigations.
Elsewhere, in Masongo village, Kisii County, a 45-year-old man identified as Jason Ratemo was lynched and burned by a mob following a land dispute with his uncle. Police say the man had earlier attacked his uncle during an argument, prompting locals to take the law into their own hands.
Mob justice continues to pose a serious threat to the rule of law in Kenya. Police have condemned the growing trend, urging the public to hand over suspects to law enforcement for due process. Official statistics indicate that up to three cases of mob lynching are reported daily in different parts of the country.
The authorities are calling for community cooperation in preventing such crimes and ensuring justice is served through legal means.
