A Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer was arrested on Sunday morning in Thika after fatally shooting two boda boda riders near Makongeni Police Station.
The incident began when the officer’s private car hit a rider carrying a passenger in what police described as a non-injury accident. Instead of staying at the scene, the officer blamed the rider for making a wrong move and drove off.
Other boda boda riders, unhappy with his response, pursued him and forced him to stop a short distance ahead.
According to witnesses, the officer appeared agitated and felt threatened by the growing crowd. He stepped out of his car armed and opened fire, killing two riders instantly. The victims, aged 38 and 39, were both from the Makongeni area.
Panic broke out as other riders fled. Minutes later, they regrouped and returned in larger numbers. Angry and demanding justice, they hurled stones at the officer before setting his Audi saloon car on fire. By the time police reinforcements arrived, the vehicle had been reduced to ashes.
Thika West Sub-County Police Commander Lawrence Muchangi confirmed that the officer, who seemed drunk and rowdy, was disarmed and arrested on the spot. His firearm was seized as evidence, and he was escorted to Thika Police Station.
The bodies of the two riders were moved to General Kago Mortuary. Meanwhile, their colleagues staged protests in Thika, accusing police of excessive force and demanding accountability.
Kiambu County Police Commander Doris Mugambi urged riders not to take the law into their own hands. She noted that similar incidents have recently turned violent, with riders torching vehicles after accidents in Juja, Donholm, and other areas.
Police say investigations are ongoing, with a focus on both the officer’s actions and the growing trend of mob justice involving boda boda operators.
By Vivian K.