Boda boda operators in Matuu, Yatta Sub-County on Monday night took to the streets to protest against what they termed as police harassment.
The operators stated that police officers have developed a trend of arresting the riders as early as 8pm and locking them in jail alleging working time had elapsed.
“We can’t stand police officers harassing us for no reason anymore. They have been arresting us even as early as 8pm and they take our motorbikes and lock us in Matuu police station. Today they have arrested more than 20 of us and that’s why we are protesting,” stated one operator.
More than 100 operators paralyzed normal activities in Matuu town as they were riding from the main Matuu bus station going round the town heading towards the police station while hooting non-stop.
Confirming the night protest Yatta Sub-County police OCPD Kipsang Chagat yesterday evening stated that the police officers were forced to use tear gas to dispense the operators who had already disrupted the peace of residents and business people in the town.
However the police boss reputed claims by the operators that officers had been harassing them.
On the contrary, Chagat stated that the police had launched an operation to ensure the riders had fulfilled the expected security measures.
“We had issued a 6 months’ notice to the operators so that they comply with the terms and conditions for their security and that of their passengers. The time has elapsed and we are not going to hesitate to bring to book the non-compliance,” said Chagat.