Chaos erupted along Lusaka Road near City Stadium in Nairobi after a police lorry was involved in a tragic traffic accident that resulted in the death of a pedestrian. The incident quickly escalated into a violent confrontation between a group of bodaboda riders, local residents, and the police, culminating in the torching of the police vehicle.
The accident occurred around 6 p.m. when a police driver, reportedly speeding in a lorry, knocked down a pedestrian, killing him on the spot. The incident immediately sparked outrage among the bodaboda riders who operate in the area, as well as among nearby pedestrians. The situation turned volatile as the enraged crowd, armed with stones and twigs, confronted the police officer, damaging the lorry extensively before setting it ablaze.
Witnesses recounted the scene as chaotic, with the crowd expressing their anger and frustration over the fatal accident. “The bodaboda riders were furious. They started throwing stones at the lorry, and before long, they had set it on fire,” said a local resident who witnessed the incident. The police officer driving the lorry was not spared; he was severely beaten by the mob, sustaining injuries to his hand and back. Fortunately, he was rescued by fellow officers and rushed to the hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.
The aftermath of the incident saw a heavy deployment of anti-riot police to the Kaloleni area, where the accident had occurred. The officers conducted a series of raids throughout the night, arresting more than 200 people in connection with the attack on the police vehicle. According to locals, the police were relentless in their crackdown, with some residents alleging that individuals were arrested indiscriminately, including those who were not involved in the incident.
One local resident, whose son was among those detained, expressed her frustration and fear. “My son was just at home when the police came and arrested him. We had nothing to do with the attack. It was the bodaboda riders who were angry, not us,” she lamented, joining other relatives who flocked to various police stations in search of their detained loved ones.
The police have not yet recovered the items stolen from the lorry, including police uniforms and other valuables, and the search for these items is ongoing. In a statement, the police warned against mob justice, particularly in cases involving road accidents. “We understand the pain and anger that can arise from such tragic events, but taking the law into your own hands is not the solution. Those arrested will face serious charges, and we urge the public to cooperate with the authorities in such situations,” a police spokesperson said.
This incident is not isolated, as there has been a noticeable increase in similar cases where bodaboda riders and local residents react violently to road accidents involving law enforcement or other motorists. The growing frustration among the public, especially among bodaboda riders, points to underlying issues that need addressing, including road safety, the conduct of police officers, and the broader relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
The body of the deceased pedestrian has been moved to the mortuary, where it awaits identification and autopsy. Meanwhile, the arrested individuals are being held at various police stations as investigations continue. Their families continue to call for their release, maintaining that they were not involved in the incident.
As Nairobi grapples with this latest episode of mob violence, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the tensions that simmer just beneath the surface in many communities, tensions that can erupt with tragic consequences in moments of crisis.
