Secretary General of the Kisumu County Boda Boda Association, Dan Omondi, addressing the media in Kisumu./Faith Matete
Boda boda leaders in Kisumu County have strongly rejected attempts to ethnicise the attack on Vihiha Senator Godfrey Osotsi, warning against narratives they say could inflame divisions and distort facts as investigations continue.
The leaders said the incident, which is under police investigation, should not be used to pit communities against each other or generalise blame to entire groups or professions.
“There is nothing like that. A few bad elements went there and attacked the Senator, but now people are trying to make it about ethnicity. We love the senator, even though he has a different political ideology and preference from others. That is allowed and is provided for in the Constitution,” said the secretary general of the Kisumu County Boda Boda Association, Dan Omondi.
Speaking during a press briefing, Omondi condemned the attack and called for calm, urging security agencies to complete investigations and bring all perpetrators to justice.
“We strongly condemn what happened to Senator Osotsi. We support the arrest of suspects already in custody and urge police to continue with investigations without interference,” he stated.
He also dismissed reports linking the boda boda sector to the incident, terming them unfair and damaging to efforts made to reform the industry.
The leaders criticised a section of the media for what they described as generalised reporting and demanded an apology, arguing that CCTV footage and ongoing investigations already point to specific individuals.
“We were disappointed by reports that associated the entire boda boda fraternity with the incident. That is unfair. The sector has undergone reforms, and we are working to eliminate criminal elements,” said Dan Ochola, a county executive member of the association.
Ochola further warned against political statements that they said risk inciting violence or undermining peace in Kisumu.
He singled out remarks attributed to political figures suggesting mobilisation of youth in a confrontational manner, calling such rhetoric irresponsible.
At the same time, the association chairman, Jacob Ogambo, defended government officials linked to the region, rejecting attempts to associate them with the attack or ongoing political tensions.
“The incident should not be politicised. It should not be used to target leaders or communities,” he said.
The leaders also urged boda boda operators to register formally at ward and county levels, saying this would help weed out criminal elements and strengthen accountability within the sector.
They reaffirmed their commitment to peace, calling on residents to allow investigations to proceed without interference or politicisation.