Kenya:Bikers warned against taking law into their hands

By Samuel Ouma

Any motorcycle rider who would attempt to engage in hooliganism will face the full wrath of the law, announced the Inspector of General (IG) Police Hillary Mutyambai.

Reacting to the rising cases of hooliganism and attacks meted on other motorists by riders, especially when one of them is involved in an accident, the IG term such behaviours as an uncouth and uncivilized manner of addressing issues.

Mutyambai said some victims of accidents had been assaulted while others have had their vehicles burnt by rowdy motorcycle operators.

He called on the police officers to be on the lookout and take necessary action against any rider found engaging in such unwanted behaviours saying riders must adhere to the traffic rules.

"Failure to which they will be dealt with in accordance to the law individually. When such an incident happens, report to the nearest police station or security office.”

"The police will map out the hot spots where such incidents have or are likely to occur and undertake a major operation to address the problem,” read Mutyambai’s statement.

In August 2019, angry riders torched a police vehicle at Rwambiti in Kirinyaga County, central Kenya, following an accident involving their colleague and the car.

According to the reports, the rider carrying two passengers rammed into the oncoming police vehicle as he was trying to overtake another car. He died on the spot, the first passenger died in the hospital, and the third escaped with injuries.