Boda boda riders protest rising crime as two murdered in Bungoma

Governor Wycliffe Wangamati was on Thursday forced to calm down irate boda boda operators protesting a rise in crime in the county.

Two people were murdered on Tuesday and Wednesday night by a criminal gang.

One of them, a boda boda operator, was butchered on Tuesday night and his motorcycle stolen at Zero Zero in Kanduyi.

On Wednesday night, a night guard at Bungoma Members Club, located barely 100 metres from the main police station was killed and an assortment of goods and cash stolen from the entertainment spot.

The guard, 39-year old Hassan Nanguba, met his death at around 3am when the robbers struck  with machetes and attacked him.

The boda boda operators demanded that the governor raises the issue with security agencies. County Commissioner, James Kianda, discussed the matter with the governor, with Kianda promising to improve security.

“I am urging our police officers to map out all crime hotspots within the town and the entire county. Those who have been extorting money from boda boda operators should stop with immediate effect,” said Mr Wangamati, who singled Malakisi Police Station as a notorious den of extortionists.

Mr Wangamati also petitioned the police to unconditionally release all confiscated motorbikes.

“Police need to intensify patrols in Bungoma town and its environs especially at night,” he said.