Calm returns to Eldoret after police disperse protesting boda riders

Boda boda riders who had blocked roads in Eldoret during the riots.MATHEWS NDANYI

Boda boda riders who had blocked roads in Eldoret during the riots./MATHEWS NDANYI

Uasin Gishu county police commander Benjamin Mwanthi speaking at his office in Eldoret./MATHEWS NDANYI

Police restored calm in Eldoret on Friday after hours of unrest that saw anti-riot officers fire teargas to disperse protesting boda boda riders who had brought business activity in the town to a standstill.

Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi said order had been restored in most parts of the town, though many businesses in the central business district remained closed amid fears of looting.

The protests were triggered by claims that a boda boda rider had been beaten and injured by county enforcement officers, known locally as askaris. Rumours that the rider had died quickly spread, fueling anger among riders and drawing crowds onto the streets.

Mwanthi dismissed the reports of a death as false, saying the rider had been treated and discharged from the hospital.

“The rider recorded a statement with the police after he was treated and discharged. We are investigating the incident and will take necessary action,” Mwanthi said.

He said no property was looted or destroyed during the unrest, although one police officer and a county official were injured on Thursday evening when riders clashed with county askaris.

Mwanthi warned boda boda riders against taking the law into their own hands whenever disputes arise.

“We have structured ways to communicate and deal with issues instead of resorting to such disruptions,” he said.

Earlier, Eldoret Officer Commanding Station James Lenaso led anti-riot police deployed across the town as protests intensified. All businesses in the central business district shut down as riders took to the streets, with thick clouds of teargas hanging over parts of the town.

Attempts by Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea to address the protesters failed after he was turned away by the riders, who demanded to be addressed by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii.

“We are tired of being harassed by county askaris and that is why we decided to protest,” one rider said.

The riders blocked sections of the busy Uganda Highway, forcing police to intervene to reopen the road and restore traffic flow. For much of the day, Eldoret’s streets were largely deserted as motorists avoided the town, fearing they could be caught up in the unrest.

County Executive for Public Service and Administration Joseph Lagat called on the riders to resolve disputes through dialogue.

“We have worked well with the boda boda people, and we will engage in talks to ensure smooth operations going forward,” Lagat said.

Lagat also dismissed claims that the rider at the centre of the protests had been seriously injured, saying medical examinations at the county hospital found no injuries.

“We urge those spreading propaganda about the victim to stop, because that amounts to incitement, yet the victim is alive and well,” he said.

By evening, police patrols remained in place as authorities worked to reassure residents and traders and prevent a resurgence of unrest.