Normal business operations at Kitengela town came to a standstill Sunday as boda-boda operators took to the streets to protest the death of one of their own.
The angry riders blocked the busy Nairobi- Namanga highway with stones and burning tyres bringing traffic to a standstill after one of the riders was killed in an accident in the town and his passenger left nursing serious injuries.
Police officers were forced to lob tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters who engaged them in running battles around the town
Scores of people were in the process injured as demonstrators pelted police with stones. Various businesses including shops remained shut.
According to eye-witnesses, a private vehicle which was being driven at high speed hit the rider and his passenger near Eastmatt Supermarket from the back and dragged them for a distance as he escaped from irate boda boda riders and residents who were baying for his blood.
The two were rushed to Shalom Community Hospital where the rider was pronounced dead on arrival.
Isinya Sub-county police commander Kinyua Mugambi confirmed the incident adding that the driver who caused the accident was later arrested and would be arraigned in court today.
Mr Mugambi urged all motorists to exercise extra caution on the roads especially during the festive season to avoid accidents.
Elsewhere in Ngong town, angry members of the public burnt to death a middle-aged man after he confessed having murdered a woman in her residence in the town on Christmas eve.
The 25-year-old was confronted by the woman’s neighbours after they found him at her house and he failed to explain who he was or what he was doing there. The woman lived alone.
Kajiado North Sub-County Police Commander Rashid Mohammed confirmed the incident and urged members of the public to desist from taking the law into their hands and instead volunteer vital information to the police so that the law can take its course.
By Rop Janets
