Police arrest a Migori County askari over rider’s death

Locals at the scene where a boda boda rider was beaten by Migori County askaris on September 23, 2019 for failing to pay a Sh100 levy. The rider died while being rushed to hospital. PHOTO | IAN BYRON | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  IAN BYRON

What you need to know:

  • The boda boda rider died while being rushed to hospital.
  • Angry locals and other boda boda riders blocked the busy Kisii-Migori highway in protest.
  • The askaris have been accused of often beating boda boda riders plying the route whenever they fail to comply.

Police in Rongo, Migori are holding a county askari who allegedly killed a boda boda rider on Monday for failing to pay levy.

Rongo OCPD Joel Kiptum said they will charge the culprit with murder once investigations are complete.

He added that police are pursuing other suspects who escaped after committing the act.

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On Monday, a boda boda rider was allegedly beaten senseless by Migori County enforcement officers for failing to pay a Sh100 levy.

He died while being rushed to hospital.

OUTRAGE

The incident sparked outrage from locals and other boda boda riders who blocked the busy Kisii-Migori highway in protest.

Mr Victor Ochieng’, one of the eye witnesses, told the Nation that the victim was stopped by Migori County enforcement officers at one of the cess points in Rakwaro trading centre and they demanded for a sticker to show that he had paid the levy.

He said an altercation ensued before the county askaris attacked the rider with clubs, hitting him on the head.

STICKER

“He was stopped and asked to produce his sticker but when he told them that he was riding a private motorcycle, they attacked him with clubs, hitting him several times on the head,” Mr Ochieng said.

He revealed that the askaris often beat boda boda riders plying the route whenever they fail to comply.

“We cannot allow such form of brutality to thrive especially from those entrusted to provide security. Even police officers manning road blocks do not handle us in this manner,” he said.

CALL FOR CALM

South Kamagambo Location Chief Erick Mala said the 22-year-old man succumbed to head injuries while being rushed to Rongo Sub-County Hospital.

“I rushed to the hospital after getting reports of a man who was attacked by county askaris but on arrival, the doctor confirmed that he had passed on,” the chief said.

The administrator urged locals to remain calm as police investigate the matter, noting that he is liaising with the officers to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and charged.

“This is an unfortunate incident and I’m urging locals to remain calm as we pursue the culprits. We are coordinating with police officers to bring other suspects to book,” he said.

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