Boda Boda 'Bode ill'

An undated photo of bodaboda riders in Nairobi.PHOTO: TWITTER

''Don't look away my dear

You can't show him your fear

Hold tight your spear

Let him not anywhere near''

On 8th March 2022, the president of Kenya declared a crackdown and census of motorbike taxis across the country. Bodaboda riders are extending their recklessness on the road to sexual assaults. This follows after a young lady was sexually assaulted by multiple bodaboda riders on March 4th 2020, with claims that she was trying to run away from the crime scene. The lady, who was driving a silver saloon car (as sources indicate) had accidentally hit a motorist along Wangari Maathai road fomerly known as Forest Road in Nairobi. The lady had stopped the car and was making several phone calls one in which she called for help for the man she had hit.

Without confirming that the lady was truly trying to escape, the bodaboda riders roughly pulled her out of the car, molesting her as shown in the circulating video going round on social media platforms. This video hit the platforms on 7th March and sparked so many reactions from Kenyans. Many were expressing their remorse for the lady and anger towards the bodaboda riders saying that they were in no position to take matters in their own hands let alone sexually assaulting the young lady.

Sixteen suspects were arrested on 8th and the police said they were still looking for others who escaped to face the law. The suspects involved should face the repercussions of their uncalled actions to be a lesson to others. No woman should feel unsafe in their own country no matter how defenseless they are.

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