Two boda boda riders were shot and killed by a police officer in Thika Town following a dramatic confrontation after a minor road accident. The incident occurred near Makongeni police station on Sunday morning, leaving the community in shock and sparking violent protests.
According to eyewitnesses, the officer, who was driving his private Audi car, knocked down a rider and his passenger in what was described as a non-injury accident. He reportedly blamed the rider for making a wrong move and attempted to drive away from the scene. This angered other boda boda operators who pursued him and forced him to stop a short distance away.
The situation escalated when the officer, feeling threatened by the group of riders surrounding him, drew his firearm and opened fire. Two riders were fatally shot and died instantly as others fled in fear. The enraged riders later regrouped, returning in larger numbers to confront the officer. In the chaos, they hurled objects at him, forcing him to retreat from his vehicle. The mob then set his car ablaze, burning it to ashes.
Police reinforcements arrived shortly afterward but were unable to prevent the destruction. The officer involved in the shooting was swiftly disarmed and taken into custody pending investigations. Authorities confirmed that he is being held at the local station as detectives work to establish the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The deaths triggered a protest by boda boda riders in Thika, who demanded justice for their slain colleagues. Police commanders, however, warned against mob justice and destructive retaliation, urging riders to allow the law to take its course.
The incident comes against the backdrop of rising tension between boda boda operators and motorists. In recent weeks, similar cases have been reported where riders have torched vehicles involved in accidents with their colleagues. Last week, a bus was set on fire along Thika Road after it hit and killed a rider near Juja. Another case occurred in Donholm, Nairobi, where a bus was also burnt following a fatal collision with a boda boda.
Authorities have pledged thorough investigations into the Thika shooting while pushing for reforms in the sector to curb rising cases of lawlessness.
