Angry bodaboda operators from Turi division held a peaceful demonstration protesting alleged harassment and extortion by police officers at a roadblock on the Molo- Elburgon road.
The more than 350 bodaboda operators paralysed normal activities along Molo- Elburgon road after abandoning their work and staging demonstration for hours.
Carrying twigs and placards, the riders defied heavy rains, claiming that police officers were raking cash from motorbike riders and motorists in the pretext of beefing up security along the route after increased terror threats in different parts of the country.
They claimed that police were extorting money from both motorbike operators and motorist calling on immediate removal of the roadblock.
They stated how they are reportedly being arrested on flimsy grounds and their motorbikes detained at Molo police station.
“We have united to say enough is enough. We are fed up. Police are demanding a lot from us and some of us are employed as riders who earn less than three hundred a day,’’ Said James Kimani, one of the riders.
They claimed that police officers manning the roadblock had taken over traffic responsibilities day and night instead of sticking to their responsibility of beefing up security.
Nakuru county women rep Mary Mbugua and Turi ward MCA Michael Wang’ombe claimed police officers at the road block had developed a trend of arresting riders without concrete reasons.
‘’We have taken your grievances and we will hold a meeting with the Molo sub-county security board so that they address these issues. We want to assure you that police are not allowed to mint money at the expense of innocent people who are working hard to earn an honest living,” said Mbugua.
The leaders urged Molo AP Commander Joseph Mwangi and area OCPD Job Lesikinwa to investigate the matter and swiftly act on errant police officers.