Residents of Lugari and Turbo sub counties in Kakamega and Uasin Gishu counties respectively are now living in fear due to what they term as increasing cases of murder and robbery of boda boda operators.
Two latest incidents involving motorbikes occurred on Wednesday evening when a gang of robbers killed a boda boda rider, while elsewhere a couple was assaulted by a different gang.
In the first incident, Alex Murunga, a 21-year-old boda boda operator, was murdered and his motorcycle confiscated by an unknown gang of two robbers near Kipkarren River.
Ng’enyilel location Chief, Mr. Sammy Tororei confirmed Murunga was brutally murdered by the gang and his body was dumped in a bush at Kuriot village in Turbo Sub County.
“According to eyewitnesses who are fellow boda boda operators, two men approached the deceased at Kipkarren boda boda terminus where they requested to be transported to Murgus market in Turbo Sub County,” said Tororei.
However, a few minutes later, passers-by discovered his body in the bush with blood still oozing through the mouth and nostrils.
Preliminary investigations indicated the gang must have stabbed him in the mouth several times using a sharp knife.
The muggers disappeared to an unknown destination with the TVS HLX motorbike, KMDU 047X.
The incident attracted a huge crowd of boda boda operators and residents from surrounding villages, with those who spoke to the media expressing fears over the spate of violent robberies involving motorbikes, which continues to hit the region.
Police officers at Riverside post in Turbo removed the body to Kimbilio Funeral Home in Uasin Gishu.
Speaking to West Media on phone, Eldoret West Deputy Officer Commanding Police Division , Mr. Tom Achia said security organs had launched investigations into the incident.
Meanwhile, administration police officers at Lumakanda are investigating a robbery incident in which an armed gang attacked a family at Kisangula village in Mautuma location on Wednesday night.
Inspector Clifford Nyakeriga told the press the incident occurred at about 11pm when the thugs violently gained entry into Mr. Jackson Musudia’s main house.
“The gang assaulted Musudia and his wife, Sheila Kasandi,” said Nyakeriga, adding the attackers then disappeared with the couple’s TVS HLX motorbike KMDW 195M.
The two incidents follow a similar one in which thugs brutally killed Kevin Kiptanui, 22 years, and disappeared with his motorcycle near Turbo market in broad daylight at about 11am on Tuesday last week.
Residents living along the boundary that separates Kakamega and Uasin Gishu counties are calling for thorough investigations into the criminal activity, which they claim has now become a trend.
“The manner in which the robbers are executing their plans is almost similar,” observed a ‘boda boda’ who sought anonymity.
