Several bodaboda operators from Gesieka village in Nyamira County have raised their dissatisfaction on what they termed as ‘deteriorating security’ that has made it impossible for them to carry out their businesses effectively.
Speaking during burial of their colleague Evans Ondimu who was allegedly killed by gunmen on Saturday, they condemned area administration for failing to provide good security for the residents.
“It is now evident that there is a group of gangsters targeting us. We cannot continue working in such kind of environment and we have government that should take good care of all Kenyans,” said the bodaboda members Chairman Ongaga Bosire.
Bosire said that they have lost seven of their colleagues in crime related incidents from October last year and no action had been taken despite their persistent plea to the police to address the rampant insecurity issue in the area.
“Today this is the seventh person we are burying in a record span of five months. It is quite unfortunate that the authorities have not even apprehended anybody and charged them for murder. We demand explanations to these kind of brutal deaths of our people,” said Bosire.
According to them, Bodaboda operators are targeted by the alleged gangs more so when evening approaches when they were about to close their businesses to steal from them.
“We have always obeyed business time as stipulated by local security networks. Everyone normally ends business at 9pm. consequently, it will be inappropriate for anyone to blame us of late night operations,” added Bosire.
They were unanimous that the security personnel start an operation to bring perpetrators to book whom they said were a threat to the economy of the nation.