Eldoret police on the spot over motorcycle theft

Transport was paralysed on Eldoret-Kapsabet road on Wednesday after protesting boda boda operators engaged police officers in running battles over alleged theft of their motorcycles.

The irate operators used logs, tyres, stones and motorcycles to barricade the road at the Eldoret-Langas junction adjacent to the Eldoret National Polytechnic.

They accused the police for shielding their colleagues they said were behind a series of motorcycle theft in the area.

Two police officers attached to Langas Police station in the outskirts of Eldoret town are currently being investigated for allegedly robbing a boda boda operator his motor cycle two days ago.

The investigation against the two rogue officers attached to the crime unit at the station was launched after the owner of the bike identified them at the station on Tuesday.

Eldoret South Police boss Esther Muhoro confirmed the incident and said they have started probing the officers after they were linked with the theft of the complainant, Onesmas Murigo’s motor bike.

The officers are said to have hired the complainant to ferry them to a crime scene in Kipkaren estate only to turn against him before fleeing with his motor bike.

“I want to tell the public that we have already launched investigations into the incident where two of our officers are said to be allegedly linked to theft of a boda boda rider’s motor cycle in Langas estate,” said Mrs Muhoro without disclosing the identity of the suspects.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, business at the police station came to a standstill after hundreds of the operators stormed the station demanding the arrest of the officers.

Led by Kapseret Boda Boda Operators Sacco chairman Samuel Rotich, they called for speedy recovery of their colleague’s motor bike, failure, they will continue with their daily demonstrations.

“It is unfortunate that the police who are supposed to provide us with security of our lives and property have turned into robbers,” said Rotich.

The complainant said officers threatened him with death after he refused to surrender his bike to them at Kipkaren, the destination where they had asked him to take them to for an official assignment.

“One of the officers took my helmet and asked his colleague to board the bike and fled leaving me stranded. I then alerted my colleagues about the incident and they advised me to report the matter to the police,” said Murigo.

Mr Murigo said that he was surprised to see the officers who robbed him of his motor bike at the station noting that he will not rest until they return his property.