Security personnel in Malindi have impounded over 900 boda bodas in a crackdown aimed at wiping out the operators from the streets to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Malindi subcounty police commander Vitalis Otieno said the operators defied orders issued by the county and national government to stop operating.
He said they have always been engaging them in a cat and mouse game in broad daylight as they do not want to stay at home.
Otieno said boda bodas' passengers sit too close to the operator hence exposing him to possible infection.
The police boss advised the operators to stay at home as the sector would aid the spread of the virus.
About the curfew, Otieno said most residents have been cooperative and have stayed at home during the lockdown hours.
He said all bars and night clubs are closed.
A spot check in Malindi town revealed that boda boda operators and tuk-tuks are still ferrying passengers past the curfew meant to help in reducing the chain of spreading the virus.
Moreover, many people are not exercising social distance and do not wear protective masks.
Residents seem unbothered as they go by business as usual despite the country recording positive cases of the Covid-19.
Only bars and night clubs remained closed since the order was issued.
Rider Karisa Chonya said he has been forced to continue carrying passengers because he has no other source of livelihood.
He said since the directives were issued business has gone down and that it is difficult to make ends meet.
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi banned boda boda operations and allowed tuk-tuks to carry only one passenger at a time.
Edited by R.Wamochie
