Protests rock Marsabit town after brutal murder of boda boda rider

Protests rocked Marsabit town on Wednesday after locals and boda boda riders engaged police in running battles following the gruesome murder of a 22-year-old rider who was beheaded by unknown assailants.

The demonstrators lit bonfires on the Marsabit–Isiolo road, causing tension that led to the closure of some businesses as they called for an urgent probe.

The victim, Guyo Golicha Salesa, was stabbed multiple times before his throat was slit by two people who had posed as clients in the 10 p.m. Tuesday night incident.

In a statement, Marsabit Central Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner David Saruni said the deceased rider was stabbed in the neck, ribs, and back.

Mr. Saruni noted that they had received some leads that would aid a thorough investigation into the incident.

“Our initial investigation is leading us in the right direction to apprehend the culprits,” he said.

The DCC also confirmed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Marsabit had launched a probe to determine the exact motive behind the attack.

He further urged boda boda riders to take extra precautions while operating at night.

“As we beef up security, I also want to call upon all our riders to be careful about whom they interact with at night and avoid falling into traps,” he added.

The frustrated riders and locals called on security agencies to remain vigilant and demanded urgent justice.

In March this year, another boda boda rider was beheaded in the Mata Arba area before his motorcycle was stolen, signalling a troubling pattern of killings linked to motorcycle theft.