ODM party leader Raila Odinga has joined Kenyans in condemning the vile sexual assault of a female motorist by bodaboda operators in Nairobi last Friday.
Speaking at the Maua stadium in Meru County during a fundraiser for various women groups on Thursday, Odinga said such despicable acts must be rebuked.
“Juzi kulikuwa na kitu ilifanyika Nairobi…mama mmoja alikuwa anaendesha gari, baadaye kulikuwa na ajali, akavamiwa na wale watu wa boda boda wa pale…kitendo kama hicho mpaka ilaaniwe. Mtu ambaye alifanya kitu kama hicho alifanya kitu mbaya,” he said.
Odinga, however, cautioned against the blanket condemnation of bodaboda operators due to the crimes of a few.
He was referring to the ongoing nationwide crackdown on bodaboda operators, sanctioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Lakini isichukuliwe kwamba hilo ni tendo la boda boda wote. Watu wa boda boda wanafanya kazi nzuri ya kusaidia watu, na ni watu wetu. Nataka wasaidiwe kwa upande ya biashara yao. Mtu akifanya makosa, huyo ndio aende ashikwe na aadhibiwe. Mtu ambaye amefanya uhalifu, yeye ndio mhalifu…lakini sio eti wale wote ambao wako kwa hiyo biashara ni wahalifu,” said the former Prime Minister.
Raila further urged police not to brutalize bodaboda operators during the ongoing crackdown.
“Watu wa boda boda wasiadhibiwe kwa makosa ya mtu mmoja…wale wengine waachiliwe kwa maana wanafanya kazi nzuri. Ningependa kuhimiza askari waache kuumiza watu wa boda boda.”
