Boda boda operators in Narok County have refuted claims on social media platforms that the sector members are involved in criminal activities that have put Narok in the limelight in terms of insecurity in the recent past.
The Sector’s Chairman, Gideon Punyua, said investigations conducted by the police and CCTV footage have not linked any boda boda operator to crime, wondering why some people want to associate some of their members with crime.
He noted the sector has over 1,000 members who meet often to discuss issues affecting them, saying one of the key points they stress on is the need to boost security in the county.
“We are peace-loving people. I want the members of the public to report any of us to whom they have evidence that links anyone to crime so that we as their officials can take the necessary action,” he said.
Punyua reiterated that the sector is ready to work with the police to eliminate criminals in the town and boost security.
“When the county is peaceful, we get more returns from our business because we operate for 24 hours a day. But when there is chaos, we are forced to close our businesses as early as 8 p.m.,” he said.
Stephen Ole Nakola, the official in charge of safety in the sector, said the members are united and peaceloving.
“Though some of us are not learned, while others come from poor backgrounds, we came together and agreed on a common goal of uplifting our standards of livelihood,” he said, adding that the boda boda business is like any other business that people do to earn a living.
Nakola revealed that the County Government of Narok has sponsored about 500 operators for a driving course so as to reduce cases of accidents in the town.
The officials were speaking to journalists in Narok Town on Tuesday.
By Ann Salaton
