Police officers in Mombasa County have arrested five people suspected to be linked into the theft of motorcycles in the county.
Mombasa Police Commander Johnston Ipara who confirmed the arrests said the five are suspected to be members of a machete-wielding gang that are terrorizing boda boda riders and area residents.
Mr Ipara said cases of motorbike riders being attacked and their motorcycles being stolen have increased for the past few months.
Boda boda operators in Mombasa County claim that at least four of their colleagues are attacked every month.
Speaking to journalists in Mombasa, Mr Ipara said the gang is suspected to be behind the theft of motorcycles in Mombasa and Kilifi County.
The police commander said recently, a boda boda rider was killed in Shanzu and his motorcycle stolen by armed gangsters.
“Motorcycle theft is on the rise but police will not rest until all suspects are flushed out of the area. One of the suspects was arrested in Embu with a motorcycle suspected to have been stolen in Mtwapa.”
“Currently five suspects are in police custody and they are helping us with investigations to arrest more suspects. They will be arraigned in court to face various charges,” said Mr Ipara.
The attacks have sparked fears in parts of Kisauni, Changamwe and Likoni and the boda boda operators are forced to close business early for fear of being attacked.
The police commander urged boda boda riders and residents to volunteer information to police officers that will help in arresting those behind the theft.
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