Bodaboda and Criminologists condemn Tharaka shooting
The National Association of Bodaboda Riders and the Professional Criminologists Association of Kenya (PSAK) have condemned the deadly shooting of a biker in Tharaka Nithi County.
In a statement, the bodaboda riders’ association condemned the killing of Mr Willis Kiraku Mugambi, the Tharaka Nithi County chairman of bodaboda riders.
The National Bodaboda Association gave the police seven days to arrest the officer who shot and killed Mr Mugambi, or else they would call for a nationwide protest.
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“If they are not going to arrest the officer then we shall go ahead and call for countrywide protests which will be carried out by our members,” the Bodaboda association said.
On its take, PSAK said it had learned about the unfortunate killing of two people in different incidents in Tharaka Nithi County.
“The deaths contributed to a traffic snarl-up along the Meru-Nairobi Highway. Our sincere condolences go to the bereaved families. We call upon the team tasked with probing the matter to move quickly and ensure that justice is served,” PSAK said in a statement signed by Mishi Arun, the communication director.
PSAK also asked Kenyans to maintain peace and be calm as investigations into the deaths occur.
In the evening and better part of Saturday 8 night, tension remained high at Chuka Town following the duo’s death.
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Sunday 9 morning, anti-riot police officers were deployed at the town as normalcy slowly returned with the busy Nairobi – Meru highway being opened.
The drama first ensued in Chuka town on Saturday after a mob barricaded Meru-Nairobi Highway using stones and a casket containing a body.
The residents of Nkwego village were demanding the arrest of the killers of resident Daniel Mutembei, whose body was in the coffin.
Mr Mutembei was reportedly murdered last month by five people well known to the residents. The residents, among them Chuka’s boda boda operators, demanded the arrest of the killers for the sake of justice for Mutembei.
It was while police dispersed these demonstrators that the association chair was shot dead, a Nation reporter who was at the scene said.
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