Keumbu motorists, on Wednesday, withdrew when area assistant county commissioner Joseph Mwangi was addressing them over alleged misconduct and stage row among them.
It started when Mwangi suggested a leeway in bodaboda business that angered motorists operating at Keumbu stage.
The announcement vexed the motorists majorly from Keumbu stage, making them withdraw from the social hall where the meeting was taking place.
Keumbu stage motorists led by their chairman James Oigara accused their Nyabisabo stage counterparts of intrusion into their operating zone leading to a scramble for customers.
They also accused them of charging low fare which has lead to losses in their business.
However, motorists operating at Nyabisabo stage supported the police boss saying blocking them from accessing and picking customers from Keumbu stage was not only unfair but also infringes their rights.
He blamed the bodaboda leaders for the escalating row among the motorists.
He also directed them to hold a meeting and establish an amicable remedy to the grave matter.
“The problem started during the election of bodaboda leaders, there wasn’t any problem there before. I ask leaders to solve the matter,” said Mwangi.
Mwangi had earlier warned motorists against taking the law into their own hands and killing people on suspicion grounds.
“Nobody has a right to attack or kill anybody simply because you have suspected him to be a thief. Seize the suspect and take him to the police," said Mwangi.
"Not descending on him like safari ants. Am answering difficult questions because of you. Business is not going to be as usual. Breaking the law will attract punitive action against the offender,” the furious Mwangi warned.
His sentiments were supported by Keumbu location senior chief Jonathan Machoka who warned that whoever will be found taking the law into their hands will be arrested and charged in a court of law.
The assistant county commissioner was reacting to the recent incident where a suspected thief was attacked and killed by the motorists.
“The purpose of convening today’s meeting is to discuss emerging insecurity in our area. We called on the motorists because they are allegedly involved in criminal activities in Keumbu center and its outskirts,” noted Machoka.
However, Machoka disagreed with the assistant county commissioner over stage row.
“The problem can only be over if everyone operates in his stage. Motorists from outside Keumbu stage should not pack in others’ stage. They should only drop customers at the filling stage and turn back,” said Machoka.
He scornfully scoffed off allegations from Nyabisabo stage motorists that he was acting in favor of their fellow businessmen at Keumbu stage.
Area community policing chairman Kennedy Osoro said the problem began late last year when wrangles emerged between motorists operating at Keumbu and Igare stages.
“The problem has been gradually growing since late last year. I remember Keumbu motorists ganging up against their counterparts from Igare stage before it extended to Nyabisabo stage," said Osoro.
"Keumbu stage motorists held demos to Igare to protest what they termed as interrupting their business," he said.
He added: “We support that every motorist operates in his stage to ensure sanity and orderliness prevails.”
Nyaribari Chache sub-county bodaboda chairperson Jared Onchari said the problem started at Keumbu stage.
He also differed with Mwangi that bodaboda leaders had failed to solve the matter.
“We are not the cause of this problem. I have been a leader for 8 years before I ascended to lead 14 stages in the sub-county," said Onchari.
"We did experience this problem in the past. Keumbu stage is the center of controversy. Everybody wants to be associated with it and operate it because they believe it has a lot of customers,” said Onchari.
“The stage itself has been split into three; Keumbu Vision 2030, Keumbu Bodaboda Youth Group and Rigena Bodaboda youth group. We will begin with establishing one committee to manage Keumbu stage,” added Onchari.