Raila Defends Boda Boda Operators Against Uhuru Tough Orders

The former Prime minister and ODM Party leader Raila Odinga has warned against the blanket condemnation of riders in the country. The former PM now wants law enforcers to stop unnecessary harassment of motorists.

Odinga's remarks come barely a few days after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a national crackdown in the bodaboda sector.

In the same address, the opposition chief condemned in the strongest words possible the Forest Road incident where a female motorist was assaulted in broad light. The presidents move was triggerd by a video of the assault which went viral showing a group of rogue riders attacking and molesting a female driver in Nairobi. Raila however, cautioned against victimising innocent riders for the sin of others and instead those involved in the unfortunate incident should be made to face the law.

“There was an incident in Nairobi where a woman was attacked by Bodaboda operators, we must all condemn such. If someone makes a mistake that is a criminal and they should face the law. Let not all the riders made to pay for the crime of others,”

Raila said.

According to the Star newspaper, Raila told police to stop harassing all operators and instead identify and bring to book the main culprits.

Mr. Odinga who was speaking on Thursday during an Azimio rally in Maua, Meru County maintained that there are only a few bad apples in the sector that has provided opportunities to thousands of young people in the country.

President Kenyatta ordered on Tuesday ordered national crackdown on rogue operators across the country and directed that they all be registered a fresh.

Uhuru while issuing the directive warned against politicising the matter saying it seeks to restore sanity among road users.

“It is a disheartening thing to see and it’s only one among many others that have occurred across this country and we must be honest to each other,” the President said.

"Being boda boda operator is not a licence to strip a woman. There should never be a repeat of what happened on Friday. This is a blight on the whole Kenyan society.”

Raila made these sentiments in Meru county where he drummed support for his Azimio La Umoja movement ahead of the launch on Saturday.