What I'm about to share has just happened (again), and I've stopped everything I was doing to highlight this urgent issue. It's a repeating pattern in our area that we can no longer ignore. Other areas may be facing the same challenge.
As night falls, many
people rely on bodabodas for safe transport, especially after 10 pm due to the
known insecurity issues. But there's a hidden danger we all need to be aware
of.
Here's the alarming
part: some bodaboda riders are exploiting this trust. They've found a way to
rob unsuspecting passengers, primarily targeting women.
The usual scenario? A
lady reaches her destination by bodaboda, waiting for the gate to open or
paying via Mpesa. That's when the rider strikes, snatching her phone and
sometimes bag.
I've personally
witnessed this happen twice as a night owl. The sudden screams in the night,
the rush of the bodaboda speeding away - it's a terrifying reality.
Advice to all ladies:
When paying, hold your belongings tight. If you're using a bodaboda at night,
try to have loose cash handy to avoid opening your bag. Speed is safety.
Many don't memorize
the number plate or the rider's face in a hurry. This anonymity aids these
issues. Are the authorities Directorate
of Criminal Investigations - DCI National
Police Service and bodaboda associations aware of this trend?
I respect the majority
of bodaboda riders who provide valuable services, like the commendable Daniel
Ndungu . But the few who misuse their position need to be addressed.
Please share this
information widely. Awareness can prevent these incidents and help keep our
community safe.
