A disturbing incident in Nakuru City’s London Ward has ignited outrage after police officers allegedly attacked a boda boda rider and his two passengers without apparent provocation, leaving the rider injured and prompting widespread condemnation on social media.
The assault, captured in a video circulating on social media, occurred on Tuesday evening amid reports of unrest in the area, further escalating tensions in a region already grappling with rising insecurity.
The video, shared by multiple users, shows a police officer striking a boda boda rider while he was ferrying two passengers, reportedly causing the motorcycle to crash.
Witnesses claim the rider, whose identity has not been disclosed, sustained injuries and was left in pain, though the extent of his condition remains unclear.
The passengers, believed to be unharmed, were seen scrambling to safety as the situation unfolded. Locals expressed fury, with one villager stating, “This is Nakuru town, police attacked a rider & his two passengers for no reason. The Rider left hurting,” while another questioned, “Why shouldn’t these officers face consequences for such brutality?”
The incident has fueled calls for the resignation of senior officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General Douglas Kanja.
Nakuru County Police Commander Samson Andanje, when reached for comment, did not confirm the specifics of the incident but stated that investigations are underway to establish the circumstances.
“We are aware of the reports and video circulating. Any officer found to have acted unlawfully will face disciplinary action,” he said.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been tasked with reviewing the footage and gathering witness statements to determine whether the officers’ actions were justified or constituted excessive force.
The attack comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the National Police Service (NPS) following the death of social media influencer Albert Omondi Ojwang in custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station on June 8, 2025.
Is this today? Someone says it’s from Nakuru protest. pic.twitter.com/lGZOUFAMuQ
— Nelson Amenya (@amenya_nelson) June 10, 2025
A postmortem revealed Ojwang died from severe head injuries caused by blunt force trauma, contradicting police claims of suicide.
The Nakuru incident has further inflamed public distrust, with residents and activists pointing to a pattern of alleged police brutality. “This is not an isolated case.
Nakuru has been a hotspot for violent policing and gang activity, and now innocent riders are being targeted,” said local activist James Wanyoike, who called for immediate reforms.
Nakuru has faced a surge in violent crime in recent weeks, with reports of armed gangs targeting M-Pesa shops and residents, including the fatal shooting of a police officer on June 1, 2025, in Free Area.
The DCI has arrested seven suspects in connection with that attack, recovering an AK-47 rifle believed to be linked to multiple robberies.
However, the boda boda sector, a critical lifeline for Nakuru’s transport system, has also faced challenges, with riders often caught between unregulated operations and accusations of involvement in criminal activities.
The Nakuru County government, led by Governor Susan Kihika, has acknowledged the rising insecurity and convened meetings with security officials to address the crisis.
However, Tuesday’s incident has drawn criticism from community leaders who argue that police actions are exacerbating tensions rather than resolving them.
“Boda boda riders are not criminals by default. Attacking them without cause only alienates the community,” said Wycliff Andika, chairman of the Railways stage matatu operators.
