Police Planning Major Operation On Hawkers, Street Urchins To Address Rising Robbery Cases In Nairobi

Police are planning a major operation against hawkers, street children and bodaboda operators in Nairobi today to addressing rising cases of violent robberies.

This follows upsurge cases of mugging on the streets. So far 35 suspected muggers have been arrested since Sunday. Another operation is planned for today and it is targeting the traders, street families and bodaboda operators.

A crisis looms because most of the bodaboda operators argue they have paid to be allowed to operate within the city.

The Director of Operations at the City Inspectorate Department, Peter Mbaya bodaboda operators will not be allowed in the Central Business District.

He said only motorcycles having carrier boxes or those offering courier services and have branded boxes will be allowed into the CBD.

He said the operators will be dropping their passengers in areas outside the CBD such as City Stadium and Ngara. But the operators say they have paid for licenses to allow them come to the CBD.

Organised criminal gangs operating in the CBD have been accused of stealing from Nairobi residents and escaping on motorbikes.

-Cyrus Ombati