Security concerns have deepened across Siaya County, prompted by a worrying spike in motorcycle thefts and violent robberies targeting boda boda operators.

​Local leaders and security officials, speaking in Siaya town, have raised alarms over the deteriorating security situation, particularly along major transit routes as the festive season approaches.

​Paul Owino Olik, the Alego Usonga Boda Boda Chairman, highlighted that the insecurity crisis has paralyzed movement and economic activity during critical hours. According to Olik, criminal elements have increasingly targeted riders, stripping them of their motorcycles and lives.

‘’People cannot sleep, and boda boda riders cannot work. Beyond 8:00 pM, movement stalls, yet people still need to conduct business and travel,” Olik said. He recounted a recent incident last Friday where a young rider from Central Alego Ward was attacked, robbed of his motorcycle, and murdered around 10:00 PM.

​Olik noted that criminal networks have rendered several routes unsafe, including the Siaya-Hawinga-Mulaha road, the Siaya Riferral hospital-Kobare stretch, and roads connecting Ng’iya to Karapul Primary, as well as routes around Central Primary, Kababa, Rabango, and Vila.

​Appealing directly to the county security apparatus, Olik urged Deputy County Commissioner Robert Ng’etich and County Commissioner Norbert Komora to enhance security patrols, protect young riders, and curb the wave of violent crime. He also called on fellow boda boda operators to remain vigilant and cooperate with security personnel to flush out criminal elements masquerading within the sector.

​Echoing these concerns, Deputy County Commissioner Robert Ng’etich affirmed that security agencies are taking a firm stance against lawlessness. Ng’etich stressed that boda boda operators are engaged in legitimate business and deserve the same protection as any other citizen.

​‘’We want to warn those who have decided to bring lawlessness that we are taking stern action. There must be freedom of conducting business,” Ng’etich stated. He directed security teams to zero in on hotspots spanning from Ugunja all the way to Sega and Ukwala.

​County Commissioner Norbert Komora further reinforced the government’s commitment to preserving peace and security throughout Siaya. Komora emphasized that intensified patrols will be deployed to ensure residents can go about their livelihoods safely, especially as the region approaches the holiday period and upcoming electoral milestones.

APERIT FM, HII NI YETU