A pillion passenger was shot and killed during a violent ambush in Meru County on the night of Friday, May 9, 2025, in the Kisabei area, located along the Kinanduba-Mpeketoni road. The tragic incident has left the local community reeling, as the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
According to reports from the rider, who was transporting two pillion passengers at the time, the group was ambushed by unknown gunmen. As the rider traveled through the area, he heard gunshots intended to force him to stop. In response, he made a U-turn and fled the scene, fearing for his life. Unfortunately, the bullets struck one of the passengers, who was hit in the head and fell off the motorcycle, dying instantly.
The rider continued to flee the area and did not stop after the shooting. Local police arrived shortly thereafter, finding the lifeless body of the victim lying on the tarmac road. The body was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head, and it was moved to the Maua Sub-County General Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a postmortem examination.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident but have yet to determine a clear motive for the shooting. It remains uncertain whether the attack was a targeted killing or a random act of violence. The surrounding region has been plagued by increasing incidents of banditry, with a special unit recently formed to address the issue. This area, in particular, has been struggling with livestock thefts, as well as violent attacks that have led to the deaths of locals.
In addition to this incident, another gruesome attack took place on May 10, 2025, in Maseno, Kisumu County. George Otieno, a 31-year-old boda boda rider, was found murdered and robbed of his motorcycle in the Ojola area. Otieno had been last seen the previous evening when he transported two passengers from Kisiani to Osare but did not return to his usual operating location. His body was discovered along the roadside, showing two deep cuts on the back of his head and another on his forehead.
Interestingly, there was no blood at the scene, leading investigators to believe that Otieno may have been murdered elsewhere and his body dumped in the secondary location. The victim’s motorcycle and mobile phone were stolen during the attack, and police have launched an investigation into the murder.
Both of these killings are part of a disturbing trend in the region, where boda boda riders have increasingly become targets for robberies and violent attacks. The authorities are under pressure to crack down on these incidents of crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The community is calling for greater security measures to protect boda boda riders and other residents who are vulnerable to criminal activities. The police are continuing their investigations into both murders, but residents are hoping for more decisive actions to tackle the rising wave of banditry and robbery in their areas.
With the operation to curb the bandit menace ongoing, local leaders are urging the government to allocate more resources to bolster security and improve the safety of citizens in these volatile regions. The killings have sparked widespread concern and calls for justice as the community mourns the loss of yet another life in a senseless attack.
