As tensions mount ahead of the planned June 25 demonstrations, the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BBAK) has firmly distanced its members from any involvement in violent protests, declaring they will not be used as pawns in political unrest.
In a strongly worded statement issued by the association’s Nairobi branch, the riders emphasized their commitment to peace and constitutional values, particularly Article 37, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and protest.
“We are not part of that destruction. We are not tools for political games. We are hustlers, and we ride for peace, dignity, and survival,” the statement read.
The association voiced concern over the chaos witnessed during earlier protests over the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody, some of which were linked to individuals using motorcycles. It clarified that those involved were not legitimate members of the Boda Boda community.
Anticipating potential unrest during the upcoming protests, which are meant to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 Occupy Parliament movement, the riders warned that such disruptions would directly hurt their livelihoods.
“One day of riots is one day of hunger in our homes. When roads are blocked, we don’t earn. When shops close, our customers disappear. When police clash with rioters, it’s our bikes that get burned and our people that get caught in the crossfire,” they said.
Calling for government protection, the riders appealed for security and fairness, asserting that their businesses and lives should not be endangered by politically motivated chaos.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda has assured the public that adequate security measures are in place for the June 25 demonstrations, emphasizing that the right to protest must be exercised peacefully.
The Boda Boda association concluded its statement with a plea to protest organizers: “No stone, no fire, no looting. Because once violence starts, the Constitution walks away. And so do we.”
Written By Rodney Mbua
