Following the directive by the government on the nationwide security crackdown of motorbikes on Tuesday, more than 400 motorbikes have been seized by officers from the Nairobi Central Police Station.
Speaking to KNA at the Nairobi Central Police Station, Sub County Police Commander David Mburukua, said that to date, more than 50 motorists have been taken to the court and fined a sum of Sh35, 000 each.
“Generally, we have apprehended more than 50 riders for obstruction and their bikes will be detained until necessary documents for those motorbikes are produced,” said Mburukua.
He further went on to say that motorbikes belonging to companies that are used for commercial businesses, shall be released immediately after the necessary documents are presented.
He however stated a number of challenges they faced during the crackdown including small number plates, urging the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to come up with a plan aiming at making bigger number plates and if possible, to be put in both front and rear of the motorcycles for better visibility.
“When signaled to stop you, will notice a rider doesn’t stop, instead they use the wrong side of the road to try and escape from the police, risking both his life and that of the passenger,” said the OCPD.
Mburukua also added that some riders would cover their number plates or fold them so that they are not recorded by the police.
“Kenya has been painted in the wrong picture. Never take the law into your own hands,” he cautioned, warning boda boda riders who take advantage of accident scenes to rob people that the government will not condone that behaviour.
He warned the boda boda riders that they should ensure they have all the requirements as per the NTSA rules and regulations including helmets, reflectors, Class D driving licenses, among other rules. He noted a few motorists have escaped the security crackdown but the police will not relent in making sure they follow the law and security is maintained.
Bernard Okwiri, a boda boda rider in Nairobi CBD, told KNA that life has become difficult for them, following the crackdown as they have not had as many customers as they were used to.
“It is now difficult for us to get customers, and if we get, we are having to charge more because the crackdown has really affected us,” said Okwiri, adding, he will be forced by circumstances to pack his motorbike at home and look for something else to do until the situation normalizes.
The government ordered a crackdown on all boda boda operators in Nairobi and across the country following the incident that saw a female motorist assaulted in the city.
By Catherine Muindi and Manu Mumba
