Bodaboda officials meet security team after recent spate of violence in Isiolo

Bodaboda leaders in Isiolo County have committed to work closely with the local security team and administrators in streamlining the sector which has in the recent past suffered infiltration by criminal elements and misconduct among the members.

In a recent incident, four people were injured in Thursday's confrontations between two groups of about 40 bodaboda riders which were triggered by a fight between two operators. Two of those injured were admitted to a local hospital.

Preliminary police investigations showed that the two bodaboda operators had fought countless times in the last year over unknown reasons and that at some point, local elders had intervened to help end the differences.

The clashes that spilled over to the following day and raised tension among the operators, forced security agencies to convene a meeting with the bodaboda leadership in an effort to ensure lasting peace is achieved.

It was agreed at the Saturday meeting held at Isiolo police mess that leaders of respective stages within Isiolo town and the outskirts promptly report any such incidents to authorities for action before they escalate into violence.

"If you cannot resolve it (as the Chairman) share it with us so that we respond in time and avert injuries and destruction of properties as it happened during the recent incident," Officer Commanding Isiolo Police Station Francis Kairu said.

The bodaboda officials, he said, must monitor their members to know if they could be involved in illegal activities or were among those forcefully gaining access to other stages.

"You are the people to ensure there is sobriety in the sector by barring non-members from your stages unless they comply with your rules".

Isiolo County Bodaboda Association Chairperson Moses Miriti (centre) and stage counterparts address journalists after the meeting on August 17, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

Legal action

Kairu said legal action would be taken against the two men who started the fight to prevent similar incidents in the future, even as the operators were implored to resolve any emerging differences peacefully.

The security team said a crackdown on operators without driving licenses and whose motorcycles were uninsured would follow thereafter to ensure full compliance.

Calls for peaceful coexistence among the bodaboda operators dominated the meeting which was also attended by interfaith leaders, elders and community leaders.

Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders Isiolo branch Chairperson Geoffrey Nabea stressed the need for the operators to maintain peace, saying conflict and violence expose innocent citizens to unnecessary suffering.

"Self-regulate yourselves and always seek peaceful ways of resolving any emerging differences. Let us also learn to forgive each other and live as brothers and sisters," he said.

Borana Council of Elders official Mohammed Konso asked the bodaboda operators to make use of their association to address their concerns and shun resorting to violence whenever differences arise.

"Isiolo is a county of diverse culture and we must all learn to coexist. Let us report crime incidents to police for action," he appealed.

County Bodaboda Association Chairperson Moses Miriti condemned the attack and implored his members who might disagree with one another to seek legal redress and not turn against each other.

"We should be our brother's keeper and ensure our unity prevails regardless of the differences we might have. We have no other county to call home," he said, wishing those hospitalised a quick recovery.

The bodaboda officials who attended the meeting cited peace as a crucial ingredient to development and a thriving economy.

"We will upscale peace initiatives in efforts to ensure stability in the sector. We will not tolerate anyone hellbent on causing mayhem or dividing bodaboda operators," Lebuke stage Chairperson Said Abdi said.