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Boda bodas’ say Malindi officers harass them

Boda boda operators in Malindi have accused police of harassment, intimidation and extortion. They claim officers arrest them and drive around in the police Land Cruiser, until they comply with their demands.Malindi MP Willy Mtengo said he once witnessed a boda boda operator being harassed by police officers.

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by ALPHONCE GARI @alphonce2011

Coast20 January 2019 - 09:25
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Malindi OCS Stanley Gitobu addresses Boda boda operators as area Member of parliament WIlly Mtengo looks on after the operators protested against police harrassment . Photo Alphonce Gari

Boda boda operators in Malindi have accused police of harassment, intimidation and extortion.

They claim officers arrest them and drive around in the police Land Cruiser, until they comply with their demands.

Malindi MP Willy Mtengo said he once witnessed a boda boda operator being harassed by police officers.

“I am bitter with the police. If they continues being rude, I will take legal action from the county, regional, and even at the national level,” he said.

He also said he might also be forced to take the matter to the National Assembly.

Mtengo spoke on Wednesday when he met police, the provincial administrators and the boda boda operators at the Malindi deputy county commissioner’s office.

Malindi Umbrella Motorcycle Association chairman Joseph Mwango said they work in fear and always flee whenever they see a police officer.

“It has now become difficult for us to work with police. Sometimes we have crucial information, but it’s difficult to express them to the security organs," he said.

Area OCS Stanley Gitobu said the behavior of police officers extorting money from the operators will be dealt with severely.

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