County police in Uasin Gishu County have dismissed claims of harassing bodaboda operators in Eldoret town.
Speaking in his office on Friday, Chief Inspector Anthony Alwanyi said that the county government does not harass the operators but arrest them for breaching safety laws.
“What we do is enforce the law. I have not seen any county police harassing the bodaboda operators. We only arrest them for breaking the laws,” said Alwanyi.
Alwanyi said that they arrest those bodaboda operators who do not comply with safety authority rules of having reflector jackets and two helmets.
“We punish law breakers. Not having a reflector jacket or a helmet is too dangerous. In case of an accident, neither the passenger nor the operator can survive because they have not protected themselves,” said Alwanyi.
He added: “Some operators are annoying. They break the law intentionally just to see what will happen.”
The inspector however said that all bodabodas should have stickers failure to which they will be arrested and charged in accordance to the law.
“If we arrest any bodaboda operator who does not have an original sticker from our county offices, we will prosecute them without fear or favour,” said Alwanyi.
He added that the operators should pay a monthly fee of Sh 600 for stickers and other fees to the county government.