Two suspected criminals riding on boda bodas were lynched by an angry mob on Wednesday in Nairobi after groups of riders allegedly went on a robbery spree targeting pedestrians, including police officers.
The incident occurred shortly after the riders left an event presided over by President William Ruto in Lucky Summer. Police said that several suspects have been arrested and investigations are ongoing, as victims are urged to record statements.
Calm quickly turned into chaos shortly after the presidential function in Lucky Summer.
Groups of boda boda riders descended on pedestrians across multiple locations, from Thika Road to Westlands, Chiromo, Kileleshwa and Kilimani, robbing unsuspecting members of the public.
Some of the victims were police officers deployed along Thika Road during the presidential motorcade.
One victim says she was attacked outside Muthaiga Police Station along Thika Road.
“We are aware of the incident. We will get to the bottom of the matter,” said Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector General of Police.
Lagat condemned the attacks, assuring the public that those responsible will face the full force of the law.
“The biggest problem is many complainants do not want to record statements,” he stated.
Police are now investigating whether the suspects were acting as criminal gangs or were politically instigated.
“We will find out if they were criminals or politically motivated,” he added.
Authorities confirmed that two suspects were lynched in Kilimani, while three others were arrested alongside five motorcycles. The suspects are expected to be arraigned on Friday.
This marks the second such incident in recent months. In March, traders and motorists along Thika Road and Outering Road suffered losses worth millions following chaos linked to a presidential tour of Mathare and Ruaraka.
