Traffic Snarl Up As Boda Boda Operators Torch Bus Along Jogoo Road

Traffic was briefly disrupted along Jogoo Road on the morning of Thursday, 7 August, after a bus operated by Citi Hoppa was set ablaze by angry boda boda operators.
In what was a retaliatory move, the riders descended on the bus after it allegedly knocked down an operator along the busy road.
According to witnesses, the bus left the operator with fatal head injuries immediately after impact, killing him instantly. In the wake of the incident, passengers were forced to exit the bus and look for alternative means, leaving the bus operators to wait for authorities to take over the situation.
Moments later, however, boda boda operators gathered at the scene and, after spotting the casualty, decided to take matters into their own hands.
The operators set the bus ablaze, with images and videos obtained byKenyans.co.kerevealing the bus was burnt beyond repair.
One witness took to social media to narrate the events, as he accused the fire department and authorities of a delayed response, which led to an escalation of the situation.
“A bodaboda operator was killed by a Bus, shattering his brain into pieces. It took more than an hour before the arrival of police officers or any other rapid response team,” he said.
He added. “The other operators got upset and set the City shuttle bus ablaze. To my surprise, the firefighting team also did not respond rapidly, only coming after the inner, combustible components of the bus had all been consumed.”
This was the second fire incident involving a public service vehicle, coming just hours after a bus attached to theSuper Metrowent up in flames off Naivasha Road. The cause of the night fire is yet to be established.
Notably, the Jogoo Road is expected to experiencemore-than-usual trafficon Thursday, after the Nairobi Traffic Department announced re-routes scheduled for August 7 to accommodate two African Nations Championships (CHAN) games.
The Democratic Republic of Congo will take on Zambia at the Nyayo Stadium from 3pm, while Harambee Stars will be up against Angola in the second round of matches at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, from 7pm, with motorists urged to avoid sections of Thika Road and Mombasa Road unless they are attending the games.